Banning X over sexualised deepfakes would not be a free speech issue
Social media platform X and its AI (artificial intelligence) tool Grok has crossed a very unsavory and dangerous line. The company must be brought to heel or it must face strict consequences here in Britain.
The Government has tried not to upset chatbot Grok’s owner, billionaire Elon Musk, but it must not be cowed by his threats. This is not a free speech issue and the Government is not “fascist” for protecting women and young girls from being sexualised by the social media platform.
If people are not able to understand the difference between safeguarding and free speech then we are headed to a very dark place in public discourse.
At the very least the British Government should be following Australia’s example and banning social media for those under the age of 16.
This is also an opportunity for politicians of all stripes to show that they are willing to put decency above petty point scoring.
Kemi Badenoch’s comments at the weekend that the Conservative Party would ban under-16s from accessing social media platforms if it were in power shows there is common ground that protects the nation’s children.
But just as important is a consensus on deepfake images. Not only is AI in some cases ruining ordinary people’s lives but it is also a threat to our democracy. In an increasingly uncertain world, Britain needs to work in the interests of its citizens, not dancing to the tune of a foreign billionaire.
The reality is that social media companies have been enjoying all the benefits that come with being a publisher but none of the responsibility.
Communications regulator Ofcom blocking access to X for failing to comply with online safety laws would be a step towards making social media platforms accountable.