A US official likens London's actions against "X" to Moscow's methods, sparking a wide-ranging debate about freedom of expression
Statements by a senior US official concerned with freedom of expression have sparked widespread political and media controversy. She likened the threats the British government is making against the X platform to actions taken by Russia under President Vladimir Putin, arguing that potential British measures reflect a censorship logic akin to authoritarian models.
These remarks were made by Sarah Rogers, US Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy, in a series of letters in which she strongly criticized recent British policies. She asserted that London is moving in a “worrying” direction regarding the regulation of digital content, according to the British news agency PA Media.
Rogers stated that Britain is “considering banning X in the Russian style,” adding that justifying this move as “protecting people from images in swimsuits” raises serious questions about the limits of government censorship and freedom of expression in the digital sphere.
Background to the Crisis: Nude Images and Accusations of Negligence
The roots of this tension lie in the actions of the UK communications regulator, Ofcom, which has entered into direct contact with the companies X and XAI regarding the production and distribution of nude images, as well as sexually explicit images of children, using artificial intelligence tools.
According to the Associated Press, Ofcom is currently conducting an "urgent assessment" of the companies' responses to these potential violations, as part of enforcing strict UK laws related to child protection and combating illegal online content.
In this context, UK Technology Minister Liz Kendall announced that the government would fully support Ofcom if it decided to impose a ban on access to the X platform within the UK, due to what she described as the "dangerous use" of the artificial intelligence tool Grok in producing deepfake images.
Official British Stance and Diplomatic Action
For his part, British Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy confirmed that US Vice President J.D. Vance expressed understanding and sympathy for British efforts to combat the content produced by Grok, particularly regarding the manipulation of images of women and children.
In remarks to The Guardian following his meeting with Vance in the United States, Lammy explained that he raised with him the “horrifying and disgusting situation” made possible by certain artificial intelligence technologies, stating that this new technology allows for the falsification of images and the manipulation of the dignity of women and children in a “repugnant and unacceptable” manner.
He added, “He agreed with me that this is completely unacceptable,” noting that Vance “recognized the seriousness of this type of manipulation and I found him sympathetic to the need to address it firmly.”
Elon Musk Responds: Accusations of Fascism and Censorship
In response, American businessman Elon Musk, owner of X and XAI, the developers of the Grok tool, escalated his rhetoric against the British government, accusing it of “fascism” and seeking to restrict freedom of expression under moral and regulatory pretexts.
Musk asserted that London is “looking for any excuse to impose censorship,” emphasizing that the real objective, in his words, is “to suppress freedom of expression and control public discourse,” especially given the growing threats to effectively block the platform within the country.
A Global Debate Beyond Britain
This escalating debate reflects a broader international division on how to balance freedom of expression with the protection of individuals, particularly children, in the age of artificial intelligence and machine-generated digital content. While governments see intervention as a moral and legal necessity, critics warn that excessive regulation could open the door to censorship practices that undermine the foundations of free speech.
