Canada’s Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Minister Evan Solomon speaks at a press conference in Montreal on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, during the G7 meeting of industry, digital, and technology ministers. The Canadian Press
Evan Solomon says Canada will not ban the social media platform X, despite growing concern over harmful deepfake content. His office confirmed that while officials remain worried about recent events linked to the platform, no ban sits under consideration.
Solomon addressed the issue early Sunday in a public post, saying reports suggesting Canada planned to block the platform were incorrect. His comments followed international attention on the spread of sexualized deepfake images created using artificial intelligence tools connected to X.
Deepfake Issue Draws Global Attention
X, owned by Elon Musk, has faced criticism after its artificial intelligence chatbot Grok generated and altered explicit images without consent. These images circulated widely online in recent weeks, raising alarms among governments and safety groups.
The controversy prompted action in several countries. Britain has begun looking into the issue, and its media regulator launched an investigation that could lead to penalties. Other nations, including France, India, and Brazil, have also raised concerns. Malaysia and Indonesia announced plans to block access to Grok altogether.
Canada in Talks With Allies
Although Canada ruled out a ban, Solomon’s office confirmed that discussions are underway. A spokesperson said officials are speaking with allied governments and working across federal departments to decide what steps may follow.
The government has not said whether it will join international efforts aimed at pressuring X or its technology partners. Officials say they will share more details once talks progress.
Government Continues to Use Platform
Despite the controversy, the federal government continues to use X for public communication. This approach mirrors actions taken in past cases, where officials chose to remain active on platforms while pushing for stronger rules and accountability.
In an earlier post, Solomon pointed to legislation introduced late last year that would make sexual deepfakes a criminal offence. He stressed the seriousness of the issue and the harm caused by such content.
“Deepfake sexual abuse is violence,” Solomon wrote. “We must protect Canadians, especially women and young people, from exploitation. Platforms and AI developers have a duty to prevent this harm.”
Spotlight on Grok’s Capabilities
Grok’s image tool, known as Grok Imagine, launched last year and allows users to create images and videos through text prompts. The tool includes a mode that can produce adult material. Reports suggest the system recently began allowing users to change images posted by others, which led to misuse.
In response, X introduced limits on image creation. The platform now restricts certain features to paying users, a move that appears aimed at slowing the spread of harmful content.
What Comes Next
Canada’s position signals a focus on laws and cooperation rather than outright bans. While the government keeps the platform available, officials continue to study how to reduce risks linked to artificial intelligence and online abuse.
As talks continue with international partners, Canadians may soon learn what further actions the government plans to take.
