Elon Musk labels UK government ‘fascist’ over potential ban on X
Elon Musk has branded the UK government as “fascist” amid discussions of banning his platform X due to concerns over child abuse images, reports BritPanorama.
The billionaire’s comments reignited tensions with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s administration, accusing it of seeking “any excuse for censorship.” Musk also highlighted a statistic showing the UK’s top position in arrest figures related to online comments, questioning the government’s stance.
This development follows government ministers contemplating a ban on X as a response to the creation of disturbing deepfake images using its AI model, Grok. Musk has since limited image functionalities for subscribers in the wake of public outrage regarding the platform’s content moderation.
The UK’s Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall, expressed support for Ofcom’s ongoing assessment of X’s compliance with UK laws, indicating that she would back actions against the platform if necessary. Kendall stated, “Sexually manipulating images of women and children is despicable and abhorrent.”
Reports from the Internet Watch Foundation highlighted the emergence of “criminal” images featuring young girls, allegedly generated by Grok. The UK’s stance against X has garnered backing from international leaders, including Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who condemned the use of generative artificial intelligence to exploit individuals without consent.
As the UK navigates a complex relationship with digital platforms, the government’s actions reflect broader concerns regarding online safety and accountability in the face of rapidly evolving technology.
This incident reveals not only tensions between powerful tech figures and governments but also underscores the pressing global dialogue surrounding the regulation of artificial intelligence and its ethical implications.
