tech
February 16, 2026
AI chatbot firms face stricter regulation in online safety laws protecting children in the UK
"The action we took on Grok sent a clear message that no platform gets a free pass," U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday.
TL;DR
- UK government is updating the Online Safety Act to include AI chatbots.
- AI platforms must combat illegal content or face legal consequences.
- This move is a response to concerns over sexually explicit content, particularly from Elon Musk's X and its Grok chatbot.
- The new measures aim to protect children by regulating AI chatbot access and features.
- The government is also considering age limits for social media and data retention after a child's death.
- This regulatory approach focuses on the design and behavior of technologies, not just user-generated content.
- Several countries, including Australia and Spain, have already implemented or are considering social media bans for under-16s.
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