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Musk’s AI bot Grok limits some image generation on X after backlash

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Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI has introduced new restrictions on the image generation and editing functions of its chatbot Grok on social media platform X, following widespread criticism over the creation and sharing of sexualized images.

Previously, users could prompt Grok directly on X to alter photos of people — including digitally removing clothing or placing individuals in sexualized poses — often without their consent. The chatbot would then automatically publish the altered images in replies on the platform.

On Friday, Grok informed users that its image generation and editing features were now limited to paying subscribers. The change appeared to stop Grok from generating and automatically posting such images in response to public posts or comments on X.

However, users could still create sexualized images by interacting with Grok through its dedicated tab within X and then manually posting the images themselves. The standalone Grok app, which operates separately from X, was also still allowing image generation without a subscription.

When contacted by Reuters for comment, xAI responded with an automated message stating “Legacy Media Lies.” X did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Musk said last week that anyone using Grok to generate illegal content would face the same consequences as if they had uploaded such material directly.

In a test conducted by a Reuters reporter on Friday, Grok declined a request to alter an image, replying that the image editing feature was only available to paying subscribers.

The European Commission said the restrictions did not address its core concerns, stressing that limiting access to subscribers does not resolve the underlying issue. A Commission spokesperson said regulators did not want to see such images at all, regardless of whether they were generated by paid or unpaid users.

Other governments and regulators have also condemned the explicit content generated by Grok, with some launching investigations into potential legal violations. Germany’s media minister Wolfram Weimer described the wave of semi-nude images as the “industrialisation of sexual harassment,” adding to mounting international pressure on X and xAI to demonstrate stronger safeguards against abuse.

Elon Musk’s Grok Faces Global Scrutiny Over Sexualised AI-Generated Images

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Governments and regulators across Europe, Asia and Oceania have condemned — and in some cases launched investigations into — sexually explicit images generated by Grok, the chatbot developed by xAI and integrated into X. The backlash has intensified pressure on the platform to demonstrate how it prevents and removes illegal content.

Late on Thursday, Grok said it would restrict image generation and editing features to paying subscribers only. Earlier this month, the chatbot acknowledged lapses in its safeguards after isolated cases in which it generated sexualised content, including depictions of minors in minimal clothing.
Elon Musk has said that users who create illegal content using Grok would face the same consequences as if they had uploaded such material directly.

Below are reactions from governments and regulators worldwide:

EUROPE
The European Commission extended a retention order requiring X to preserve all internal documents and data related to Grok until the end of 2026, amid concerns over AI-generated sexualised “undressing” images.

Britain’s communications regulator Ofcom said it had made urgent contact with X and xAI and would assess whether the service complies with obligations under the UK’s Online Safety Act.

In France, government ministers said they had referred explicit Grok-generated content circulating on X to prosecutors and alerted media regulator Arcom to review compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act.

Germany’s media minister Wolfram Weimer urged the European Commission to take legal action, warning that the issue risked becoming the “industrialisation of sexual harassment.”

Italy’s data protection authority warned that generating “undressed” deepfake images of real people without consent could constitute serious privacy violations and, in some cases, criminal offences.

Swedish political leaders also condemned Grok-generated sexualised imagery after reports that content involving the country’s deputy prime minister had been created from a user prompt.

ASIA
India’s IT Ministry issued a formal notice to X on January 2 over alleged Grok-enabled creation or sharing of obscene images, ordering the content removed and demanding a report on remedial actions within 72 hours.

Malaysia’s communications regulator MCMC said it would summon X and open an investigation into the alleged misuse of Grok to generate sexualised “undressing” images, warning of potential offences under national law.

OCEANIA
Australia’s online safety regulator eSafety Commissioner said it was investigating Grok-generated sexualised deepfake imagery under its image-based abuse framework. It noted that while adult material was under review, examples involving children examined so far did not meet the legal threshold for child sexual abuse material under Australian law.

Germany Plans New Measures to Curb Harmful AI Image Manipulation

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Germany’s justice ministry said on Friday it is preparing measures that would allow authorities to more effectively combat the use of artificial intelligence to manipulate images in ways that violate personal rights.

The move comes amid growing scrutiny in Europe over AI-generated imagery, including investigations into Grok, the built-in chatbot on X owned by billionaire Elon Musk. Grok has faced criticism for its so-called “spicy mode,” which allows users to generate sexually explicit images.

A Reuters investigation found that the chatbot’s image generation tools were being used to create images of women and children in minimal clothing, often without the consent of the individuals depicted. Germany’s media minister earlier this week urged the European Commission to take legal action to halt what he described as the “industrialisation of sexual harassment” on X.

Speaking at a regular government press conference, justice ministry spokesperson Anna-Lena Beckfeld said the government was preparing to address the issue through domestic legal channels.

“It is unacceptable that manipulation on a large scale is being used for systematic violations of personal rights,” Beckfeld said. “We therefore want to ensure that criminal law can be used more effectively to combat this.”

She said the ministry is working on tighter regulation of deepfakes and plans to introduce legislation targeting digital violence, aimed at better supporting victims. The goal, she added, is to make it easier for individuals to take direct action against violations of their rights online.

Beckfeld said concrete proposals would be presented in the near future but declined to provide further details at this stage.

After initially dismissing concerns over Grok’s image-generation features, xAI has since restricted the function to paid subscribers. Musk said last week that anyone using the chatbot to create illegal content would face the same consequences as if they had uploaded such material directly.