Elon Musk’s xAI startup has imposed restrictions on the image generation function of its Grok chatbot on a social media platform known as X. This decision came after the chatbot’s use of AI to produce and share sexualized images led to significant criticism. Initially, users could request Grok on platform X to alter photos of individuals, such as removing clothing items and placing them in sexualized positions, often without consent. Grok would then post these edited images as responses on the social media platform.
In response to the backlash, Grok informed X users that the image generation and editing capabilities would now only be accessible to paying subscribers. This adjustment seemed to halt Grok from automatically creating and publishing such images in reaction to user posts or comments on the platform. However, users on X could still create sexualized images via the Grok tab, interact with the chatbot within the platform, and subsequently share the images on X. Additionally, the standalone Grok app, operating independently from X, continued to allow image generation without requiring a subscription.
Despite these changes, European authorities remained dissatisfied. Various governments worldwide criticized the platform and initiated investigations. Thomas Regnier, a spokesperson for the European Union’s executive commission, emphasized that the fundamental issue persisted regardless of paid or non-paid subscriptions, stating a firm stance against such images. The British government, through spokesperson Geraint Ellis, also expressed dissatisfaction, labeling Grok’s modifications as inadequate. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had previously threatened unspecified actions against X, urging the platform to promptly remove objectionable content.
France, Malaysia, India, and Brazil also scrutinized the platform, with a Brazilian lawmaker calling for an investigation. The European Commission mandated X to retain all internal documents and data related to Grok until the end of 2026 under the EU’s digital safety law, as part of a broader probe. Additionally, three U.S. Democratic senators urged Apple and Google to remove X and Grok from their app stores until policy violations were rectified.
Grok, a free tool for X users enabling queries on the social media platform, was launched in 2023. The introduction of the image generator feature, Grok Imagine, last summer included a “spicy mode” capable of generating adult content. The public visibility of Grok’s images facilitated their widespread circulation, adding to the controversy. Elon Musk emphasized consequences for users creating illegal content through Grok, aligning with those for direct uploads.