Will X be banned in the UK and how would it happen?
Elon Musk’s social media platform X is facing a potential ban in the UK as Ofcom launches a formal investigation into whether it complies with UK law.
The move follows calls from ministers urging Ofcom to use its “full legal powers” over illegal AI images created on the site.
The service has faced criticism in recent weeks after refusing to completely remove the ability for users to sexually manipulate images of women and children using its built-in AI tool Grok. X has instead limited the use of this display function to those paying a monthly fee.
Technology secretary Liz Kendall reacted angrily to the social media company’s handling of the issue, writing: “It is an affront and completely unacceptable for Grok to allow this to happen if you are prepared to pay the price. I expect Ofcom to use all the statutory powers Parliament has given them.”
“Sexual manipulation of women and children is despicable and disgusting,” he wrote. Telegram He added on Friday: “I, and importantly the public, expect to see Ofcom’s update on the next steps within days, not weeks.”
On the same day, Mr Musk, who bought the platform in 2022, branded the UK government “fascist” and accused ministers of wanting to “stifle free speech” as he shared an AI-generated bikini photo of prime minister Sir Keir Starmer with his 231 million followers.
This isn’t the first time critics have called for X to be banned in the UK. In 2024, campaigners and politicians accused the platform of amplifying disinformation that helped spark violent riots in July and August of that year.
However, new powers granted to Ofcom under the Online Safety Act at the end of March 2025 mean it now has greater ability to take action on illegal content, particularly when it relates to children’s safety.
Here’s everything you need to know:
Could Ofcom ban X in the UK?
Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom can apply to the courts to restrict access to any non-compliant social media platform in the UK, effectively banning it.
This could then oblige internet service providers to block UK users from accessing the domain and app stores to remove the mobile app that provides access to the platform.
This would be an unprecedented intervention by Ofcom that would remove access for 20 million UK users, including government officials and businesses.
The regulator has arguable reasons for doing this; because sharing an intimate photo of someone without permission, even if manipulated, is a clear offense under Section 188 of the Online Crimes Act. By allowing this crime to be committed, it may be determined that X is against the legislation.
There is also separate legislation covering child sexual abuse material, which is considered a priority crime.
Ofcom said its investigation would examine whether X had complied with its legal obligations. This will include assessing the risk of people in the UK seeing content that is illegal in the UK, assessing whether
X will have the opportunity to respond to an interim order.
What else could Ofcom do?
Ofcom has a softer power to impose clear requirements to ensure a social media platform operates lawfully.
This would be a more likely first step for Ofcom to take, as it would give Mr Musk a clear opportunity to remove the offending tool. However, his recent statements show that this is unlikely.
Using this power could also prevent the UK government from a difficult confrontation with members of the Trump administration, some of whom indicated they would not be happy to have the platform banned during the furor.
Commenting on Saturday, Sarah Rogers, the US State Department’s undersecretary of public diplomacy, mocked the possibility, accusing ministers of “devising a Russia-style X ban to protect from bikini images.”
Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom has the power to fine tech companies “up to £18 million or 10 per cent of their qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater” if they fail to comply with their legal duties.
Penal action may even be taken against senior managers who fail to follow Ofcom’s requests for information. This is not within the scope of the matter so far, but once a formal investigation is launched, the regulator will expect Mr Musk and his team to comply with the investigators.
An Ofcom spokesperson said: “Reports that Grok is being used to create and share illegal, non-consensual intimate images and child sexual abuse material on
“We will proceed with this investigation as a matter of highest priority and will also ensure that we follow due process. As the UK’s independent online safety enforcement agency, it is important that we ensure our investigations are resolved legally and fairly.”
