The move was confirmed by Liz Kendall, the technology secretary, who told MPs on Monday that the legislation passed last year would now be implemented amid mounting evidence of abuse on Musk-owned social media platform X.
Kendall said AI-generated images depicting women and children in states of undress were proliferating online, describing the material as “vile” and warning that such content constituted a serious form of abuse.
“It’s not just an affront to decent society. It is illegal,” she said. “These are not harmless images. They are weapons of abuse, disproportionately aimed at women and girls.”
Ofcom Investigates X Over Possible Online Safety Act Breaches
The announcement comes as Ofcom launches a formal investigation into X over potential breaches of the Online Safety Act, which requires platforms to remove illegal content and prevent users from encountering harmful material, including deepfake pornography.
Kendall accused X of “monetising abuse” after the platform placed Grok’s image-generation tools behind a paywall, enabling paying users to create and share sexualised deepfake images. She urged Ofcom to act swiftly and supported the regulator using its full enforcement powers, including heavy fines or a UK ban.
Ofcom can fine platforms up to 10 per cent of their global revenue and, as a last resort, block access in the UK or pursue criminal action against senior executives through the courts.
New Law Targets Creation, Not Just Sharing, of Deepfakes
The new offence forms part of the Data (Use and Access) Act and closes a legal loophole by criminalising the creation or request to create non-consensual intimate images. Previously, only the sharing of such images was illegal.
Clare McGlynn, professor of law at Durham University, welcomed the move, saying campaigners had been urging ministers for months to bring the law into force.
Kendall also highlighted provisions in the forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill that would outlaw so-called “nudification apps” software designed to generate sexualised images using artificial intelligence. It remains unclear whether Grok’s image tool would fall under this ban.
Allegations of Targeted Harassment and Platform Failures
Labour MP Anneliese Dodds alleged there had been an organised campaign of intimidation against senior female staff at Ofcom, with users reportedly suggesting the use of Grok to create fake sexual images of them.
TV presenter and women’s safety campaigner Jess Davies said she was targeted with a nudified image posted on X after criticising the tool. Despite initially being told the image breached platform rules, she said X later reversed its decision, leaving the image online.
She has since reported the matter to police and urged other victims to do the same.
Prime Minister Condemns Grok and X
Sir Keir Starmer condemned the behaviour linked to Grok and X, telling MPs that the government would not tolerate platforms protecting abusers over victims.
“If you profit from harm and abuse, you lose the right to self-regulate,” the prime minister said, warning that the government would intervene directly if X failed to control its AI systems.
Meanwhile, Musk accused the UK government of attacking free speech, calling ministers “fascist” as pressure mounted on the platform.
Wider Political and Legal Fallout
Legal experts have suggested Ofcom could seek a “service restriction order”, preventing advertisers, payment providers or other third parties from working with X.
Senior ministers, including Peter Kyle and David Lammy, said X was failing to protect users, while opposition figures such as Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage warned against banning the platform, citing free speech concerns.
Ofcom confirmed it had contacted X urgently, demanded evidence of compliance, and launched a formal investigation following an expedited assessment.
