Bedford Borough Council is to review its use of X (formerly known as Twitter) after reports of Grok, the platform’s AI system, was being used to generate sexualised images of children.

Green councillor Paul Edmonds (Castle and Newnham) asked about the council’s use of the social media channel during Full Council (January 14).

“There have been serious reports that Grock, the AI system integrated into Twitter, sorry X, has been used for producing deeply concerning content including sexualisation of children, some as young as four,” he said, “As well as the simulated removal of clothing in images of female users as a form of attack.

“I’ve raised the risks of social media and online misogyny in the past.

placeholder image — Social Media Image: LDRS

“Given the council’s safeguarding duties and responsibilities to maintain public trust, would the Administration please consider reviewing the continued use of Twitter/X as an official channel?” he asked.

Bedford mayor Tom Wootton said this use of social media worries him.

“It concerns me and it’s something that I think all councillors here will be very concerned with,” he said.

He added he will ask for this to be put on the relevant committee’s agenda, and he will also the chief executive to write to all members about social media use.

Councillor Edmonds said: “I welcome your willingness to look into this further. I think it’s important for safeguarding and the reputation of the council.”

These comments were made before it was reported that xAI, Grok’s owner, announced it was withdrawing the nudification feature following public and political pressure.

The BBC reported on Wednesday (January 14) that xAI had removed the image-nudification feature from Grok after widespread evidence it was being used to create sexualised images of women and children, including minors.

However, the Guardian reported on Friday (January 16) that sexualised AI-generation images remain possible on the platform.

After the meeting, councillor Edmonds told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) national coverage of Grok’s nudification tool showed why a review was necessary.

“What is most damaging here is not simply an issue of moderation, but that this capability existed at all,” he said.

“It represents a failure of design, testing and governance at the highest levels.

“Withdrawing from the platform won’t fix the problems, but staying without consideration ignores it and leaves the council potentially sleepwalking through an issue that many residents, especially parents, are rightly worried about.”

He said he was not calling for an automatic closure of the council’s X account, but believed the authority must formally consider whether continued use of the platform aligns with its safeguarding responsibilities.