U.S. State Department Issues Warning Over UK Probe into X Platform

The U.S. Department of State has issued a significant warning to the United Kingdom regarding its investigation into Elon Musk’s platform X. Sarah B. Rogers, the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, stated that “nothing is off the table” if the U.K. enforces a ban on the platform. This statement was made during an interview with GB News, which aired early on March 12, 2024.

Rogers emphasized the importance of free speech from the American perspective, indicating that the U.S. would closely monitor the actions taken by the U.K. government. “Let’s wait and see what Ofcom does and we’ll see what America does in response,” she remarked. This comment follows increased scrutiny of X in relation to a surge of AI-generated sexualized deepfakes allegedly proliferating on the platform.

The U.K.’s communications regulator, Ofcom, is currently assessing whether X has violated the Online Safety Act. This includes examining the platform’s Grok AI chatbot, which is accused of generating and distributing non-consensual intimate images, potentially including child sexual abuse material. Ofcom has been granted the authority by the government to impose financial penalties of up to £18 million or 10 percent of a company’s worldwide revenue. In extreme cases, it may seek a court order to block X from operating in the U.K.

Liz Kendall, the U.K. Technology Secretary, addressed the House of Commons, clarifying that the government’s actions are not aimed at limiting free speech. “This is about tackling violence against women and girls,” she asserted. Kendall underscored the need to uphold basic British values of decency and respect, stating that the standards expected offline should also apply online.

In a closed-door meeting with Labour lawmakers, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer conveyed urgency about the situation. He indicated that if X cannot manage the Grok AI effectively, the government will step in swiftly. “If you profit from harm and abuse, you lose the right to self-regulate,” he declared.

The issue has garnered support from some U.S. lawmakers as well. Republican U.S. Representative Anna Paulina Luna of Florida announced that she is drafting legislation to impose sanctions on the U.K. should X face a ban. Rogers, who was appointed by former President Donald Trump, has been an outspoken critic of European attempts to regulate hate speech and disinformation.

Notably, the U.S. embassy in London has not yet responded to inquiries regarding this situation. Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy recently discussed the deepfake issue with U.S. Vice President Vance and reported that Vance acknowledged the unacceptable nature of the images circulating on X.

As this situation develops, both the U.S. and U.K. governments appear poised for a complex dialogue surrounding content regulation, free speech, and the responsibilities of digital platforms. The outcome of Ofcom’s investigation could have significant repercussions not only for X but also for the broader discourse on online safety and regulation in both nations.