TL;DR

The UK government is moving to close a legal loophole that currently leaves AI chatbots outside the scope of the Online Safety Act. PM Keir Starmer will warn tech companies that “no platform gets a free pass,” with new powers to require chatbot operators to protect users from illegal content.

Closing the Chatbot Loophole

The UK government plans to amend the crime and policing bill so that AI chatbots — including Grok, Google’s Gemini, and OpenAI’s ChatGPT — fall clearly within the scope of the Online Safety Act. Currently, the Act primarily targets social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, leaving a gap around conversational AI products.

The move follows an Ofcom investigation into Elon Musk’s xAI and its Grok chatbot, which was used to generate sexualised images of women and children earlier this year. Starmer is expected to say on Monday: “The action we took on Grok sent a clear message that no platform gets a free pass.”

Under the existing Online Safety Act, Ofcom can fine companies up to £18 million or 10 per cent of global annual turnover, whichever is higher. The amendment would extend these enforcement powers to chatbot operators.

Children’s Social Media Ban Under Consultation

Alongside the chatbot changes, ministers are seeking new powers through the children’s wellbeing and schools bill to act “within months” on findings from a public consultation about banning social media for under-16s. The consultation, launched in January, is due to conclude in April.

The push follows Australia’s landmark prohibition on under-16s using social media. France is close to passing similar legislation, while Spain, Greece, the Netherlands, and Denmark have all signalled they will act.

Political pressure has been building domestically too. The House of Lords recently backed an amendment requiring social media platforms to block under-16s within one year. Conservative shadow education secretary Laura Trott criticised Labour for not yet taking a clear position, saying “the evidence of harm is clear.”

The government also said it would examine options to limit children’s use of virtual private networks, which can be used to bypass age restrictions.

Looking Forward

The UK is positioning itself as one of the first countries to bring AI chatbots under the same regulatory framework as social media platforms. With Ofcom already investigating Grok and the government pushing to act before the consultation concludes, chatbot providers operating in the UK should prepare for compliance requirements that mirror those already imposed on social media companies.