A ban in the United Kingdom is a possibility for a company, referred to as X, over concerns regarding deepfakes, according to a statement from a government minister. The minister cited the platform's alleged failure to adequately address the proliferation of AI-generated manipulated content as the reason for the potential prohibition.

The government is actively considering all available options, including a ban, to ensure the safety of citizens and the integrity of information, the minister stated during a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday. The specific concerns revolve around deepfakes that could potentially mislead the public, influence elections, or damage reputations.

The Online Safety Act, passed last year, grants the government powers to regulate online platforms and hold them accountable for harmful content. This legislation provides the framework for potential action against X, including fines and, ultimately, a ban if the platform fails to comply with the act's provisions.

Critics of X have long argued that the platform has not done enough to combat the spread of misinformation and harmful content, including deepfakes. They point to instances where manipulated videos and images have gone viral, causing real-world harm.

X, in response to the minister's statement, released a statement asserting its commitment to combating deepfakes and misinformation. The company outlined its existing policies and technologies aimed at detecting and removing manipulated content, adding that it is continuously working to improve its capabilities in this area. "We take the issue of deepfakes very seriously and are committed to protecting our users from harmful content," the statement read.

However, some experts remain skeptical of X's efforts, arguing that the platform's policies are not consistently enforced and that its detection technologies are not advanced enough to keep pace with the rapidly evolving capabilities of deepfake technology.

The UK government's move comes amid growing global concern about the potential for deepfakes to undermine trust in institutions and destabilize societies. Several countries are exploring ways to regulate deepfakes and hold those who create and disseminate them accountable.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is currently reviewing X's response to the government's concerns. The department is expected to make a recommendation to the minister in the coming weeks, after which a decision on whether to pursue a ban will be made. The decision-making process will involve consultations with experts, stakeholders, and other government agencies.