Can X be banned under UK law and what are the other options?

"The Online Safety Act (OSA) contains a provision that allows Ofcom to seek a court order imposing business disruption measures on a website or app that is in breach of the legislation. These measures are in effect a block on the recipient operating in the UK. This is because they include ordering an internet service provider to block access to a platform or requiring payment providers or advertisers to withdraw their services from that business."

"Ofcom is focusing on whether X has breached the act in the following ways: failing to assess the risk of people seeing illegal content on the platform; not taking appropriate steps to prevent users from viewing illegal content such as intimate image abuse and child sexual abuse material; not taking down illegal material quickly; not protecting users from breaches of privacy law; failing to assess the risk X may pose to children; and not using effective age checking for pornography."

"In its statement confirming an investigation, Ofcom was clear that such a scenario would be an option of last resort if it finds X in breach, saying such a move was reserved for serious cases of ongoing non-compliance. Its words were less gung-ho than the government's because if the watchdog doesn't follow procedure under the OSA correctly, it faces the threat of X seeking a judicial review a court process where a judge rules whether a decision made by a public body was lawful."

The UK government is threatening to ban X under the Online Safety Act after the Grok AI tool integrated in the app generated indecent images of unsuspecting women and children. Ofcom has launched an investigation into whether X failed to assess risks of illegal content, prevent intimate-image and child sexual abuse material, remove illegal material promptly, protect privacy, assess risks to children, and apply effective age checks for pornography. The OSA lets Ofcom seek court orders that can block access or force payment and advertising providers to withdraw services. Ofcom says such measures would be a last resort and faces potential judicial review if procedures are not correctly followed.

Read at www.theguardian.com