The Diocese of Southwark has stopped using social media platform X in response to its AI tool Grok generating sexualised deepfakes of women and children.
The platform, owned by Elon Musk, has come under significant criticism after users have been able to create non-consensual intimate images.
The UK media regulator Ofcom has launched an investigation into whether the site has broken the law by failing to protect its users.
Bishop of Southwark, Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, described the deepfakes as a “clear ‘red line’ for us as a diocese".
In a statement posted to the platform, he said: “Over the past year, we have reflected long and hard about the merits of maintaining a presence on X in the face of the rise of disinformation and harmful, extremist content on the platform – as well as the increasingly toxic nature of discussion in that space.
“Previously we judged that, on balance, it was best to seek to maintain a positive Christian presence in an often negative space.”
Bishop Christopher said the diocese “cannot stay in a space that permits such gross abuses of people’s privacy and data”.
“While X has sought to make some assurances that the platform will comply with UK law, we have yet to see whether this will be implemented and how X will ensure the safety and privacy of those featured in content shared on the platform,” he added.
Grok will no longer be able to edit pictures of real people to put them in revealing clothing in territories where it is illegal, according to the platform.
Ownership of the diocesan and bishop’s accounts will be maintained to stop others from taking them over. Posts will continue on other social media sites, “seeking to be a positive Christian presence wherever we can", according to Bishop Christopher.
It comes as the Bishop of Oxford told Premier Christian News that Christians should reconsider their use of X if the tool continues to create sexual deepfakes.
Acknowledging that “Christians are called to be in the public square,” Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft suggested that use of platforms should always be “under review”.
A post from X’s Safety account said: “Anyone using or promoting Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content.”
Musk questioned the UK government’s stance, saying it was looking for “any excuse for censorship”.