Tag: censorship

NO EXCUSES: Statement on xAI’s Grok image generation and editing tool

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall calls for swift action after reports xAI’s Grok tool continues to allow generation of intimate deepfake images

The Technology Secretary has commented on the changes xAI has implemented to its chatbot overnight, and government action to stamp out this form of abuse.

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said: “Sexually manipulating images of women and children is despicable and abhorrent. It is an insult and totally unacceptable for Grok to still allow this if you’re willing to pay for it. I expect Ofcom to use the full legal powers Parliament has given them.

“I, and more importantly the public – would expect to see Ofcom update on next steps in days not weeks.

“I would remind xAI that the Online Safety Act includes the power to block services from being accessed in the UK, if they refuse to comply with UK law. If Ofcom decide to use those powers they will have our full support.

“We will be banning nudification apps in the Crime and Policing Bill which is in parliament now.

“We are in the coming weeks bringing in to force powers to criminalise the creation of intimate images without consent.

“I expect all platforms to abide by Ofcom’s new Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) guidance and if they do not, I am prepared to go further.

“We are as determined to ensure women and girls are safe online as we are to ensure they are safe in the real world. No excuses.”

FREE PANEL: ‘Illegal’ Edinburgh Shows & Index on Censorship Discuss Global Threat to Arts

++++ MEETING POSTPONED ++++

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN POSTPONED AND WILL NOW TAKE PLACE NEXT WEEK. FURTHER DETAILS WILL FOLLOW.

On Monday (08 August), 11.20am-12.20pm a free panel at Underbelly’s Friesian Theatre, McEwan Hall, will discuss the issue of producing theatre and art under the rising threat of censorship, with three international grassroot theatre companies to share their personal experiences.

Index on Censorship are partnering for the event, with moderator Nik Williams to give a global perspective on arts censorship.

Panellists include Max Percy and Natalie Chan with their Untapped Award winning show This is Not a Show About Hong Kong, a visually stunning piece of dance theatre which explores the blanket censorship trigged by the imposition of the Chinese government’s National Security Bill in Hong Kong. If the show were to be performed in Hong Kong performances could be summarily banned, and Max & Natalie could face a minimum five years in prison.

Davinia Hamilton and Sam Edmunds of Blanket Ban (also an Untapped Award winner)will be on the panel to discuss their multimedia, docu-theatre show which explores the blanket ban on abortion in Malta and features video testimony of Maltese women who have had abortions.

Of course hauntingly timely in the wake of overturning of Roe V Wade in USA which has caused a seismic shift in the conversation surrounding abortion rights worldwide. Again, if this play were to be performed in Malta, the creative team could face prosecution.

Finally Rhum + Clay’s Julian Spooner and Syrian composer Khaled Kurbeh of Project Dictator will contribute to the panel.

Their shows follows two clowns performing a show amid political instability; initially enjoying apparent freedom of expression against the backdrop of liberal democracy, before the production is slowly engulfed by the creeping shadow of authoritarianism. The play was inspired by conversations with artists living under autocratic regimes from Brazil to Venezuela and Afghanistan to Azerbaijan.

Index on Censorship is an organization campaigning for freedom of expression, which produces a quarterly magazine of the same name from London.