Commons women and equalities committee to stop using X amid AI-altered images row

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Peter Walker and Pippa CrerarJanuary 7, 2026 at 06:40 PM

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The UK's Commons women and equalities committee has decided to cease using X due to the platform's AI tool, Grok, generating sexually explicit images of women and children. This decision follows concerns about the proliferation of AI-altered images, including child sexual abuse material, on the platform. Committee chair Sarah Owen cited the incompatibility of X with the committee's focus on preventing violence against women and girls. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has condemned the images and urged Ofcom to take action, with potential penalties including fines or restricted access to the site. The committee will maintain a dormant X account to prevent its appropriation. Some individual members have also stopped using X, with one member calling the images "the last straw."

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Keir Starmer 40% xAI 40% Cabinet Office 40% UK 50% Grok ×250% Liz Kendall 60% Christine Jardine ×260% Ofcom ×370% Sarah Owen ×380% Commons women and equalities committee ×390% X ×11100%

Keywords

ai-altered images 90% online violence against women and girls 80% x (formerly twitter) 80% commons women and equalities committee 70% child sexual abuse material 60% artificial intelligence 60% social media 50% ofcom 50% hate speech 40%