Canada Won’t Ban X Amid Deepfake AI Controversy, AI Minister Confirms

Canada is not planning to ban the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), despite growing controversy over sexualized deepfakes created by its AI chatbot, Grok, the government says.

Artificial Intelligence Minister Evan Solomon clarified early Sunday that recent media reports suggesting Ottawa was considering a ban on X are incorrect. Instead, the government is focused on addressing harmful AI‑generated content through legislation, not platform restrictions.

The controversy stems from Grok, an AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s company xAI, which has been widely criticized for generating sexualized and non‑consensual deepfake images, including depictions of women and (in some reports) minors. The backlash has triggered investigations by regulators abroad, including the U.K.’s Ofcom, which could lead to action such as fines or restrictions in other countries.

Solomon pointed to a new Canadian bill introduced late last year that would amend the Criminal Code to criminalize non‑consensual deepfakes and similar AI abuses. In his posts, he stressed that deepfake sexual abuse is a form of violence and that platforms and AI developers must protect vulnerable groups, especially women and youth.

While Ottawa continues to engage with international partners on AI safety and harmful content, there are no current plans to block or ban X in Canada

Source: CityNews Kitchener