Musk’s Grok chatbot restricts image generation after global backlash to sexualized deepfakes

Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok has restricted image generation and editing capabilities to paying subscribers only, following intense global backlash over the creation of sexually explicit deepfakes. The controversial move comes as authorities worldwide condemn the platform for allowing users to manipulate images in inappropriate ways.

In recent weeks, researchers discovered that Grok was fulfilling user requests to modify images, including placing women in bikinis or sexually explicit positions. More alarmingly, some generated images allegedly depicted children, prompting immediate concern from regulators and governments globally.

As of Friday, non-paying users attempting to create or edit images through Grok now receive a message stating: “Image generation and editing are currently limited to paying subscribers. You can subscribe to unlock these features.” This restriction appears to have reduced the volume of explicit deepfakes being produced, though the functionality remains available to premium X subscribers who pay $8 monthly for the blue checkmark verification.

The partial restriction has failed to appease European authorities, who maintain that the issue extends beyond subscription status. Thomas Regnier, spokesman for the European Commission, stated bluntly: “This doesn’t change our fundamental issue. Paid subscription or non-paid subscription, we don’t want to see such images. It’s as simple as that.” The Commission had previously condemned Grok for “illegal” and “appalling” behavior.

British officials expressed similar dissatisfaction with X’s limited response. Geraint Ellis, spokesman for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, called the subscription-based restriction “not a solution” and “insulting to the victims of misogyny and sexual violence.” Ellis noted that X’s swift implementation of the paywall demonstrates that “X can move swiftly when it wants to do so,” adding that “all options are on the table” regarding potential government action.

Prime Minister Starmer himself had earlier warned that X needs to “get their act together and get this material down,” threatening that his government “will take action on this because it’s simply not tolerable.”

The controversy has sparked a wave of regulatory scrutiny across multiple countries. The UK’s media and privacy regulators have contacted both X and Musk’s AI company xAI for information about their compliance with British regulations. The European Commission has ordered X to preserve all internal documents and data related to Grok until the end of 2026 as part of a broader investigation under EU digital safety laws.

Beyond Europe, authorities in France, Malaysia, and India have launched their own examinations of the platform, while a Brazilian lawmaker has called for an investigation into Grok’s activities.

Grok, which launched in 2023, is integrated into X’s platform where users can interact with it through direct posts or replies to other users’ content. Last summer, the company introduced “Grok Imagine,” an image generation feature that includes a “spicy mode” designed to create adult content.

The current controversy highlights two critical issues with Grok’s approach. First, Musk has deliberately positioned his chatbot as an edgier alternative to competitors that implement stronger safeguards. Second, unlike other AI image generators that produce results privately, Grok’s images appear publicly on X, allowing inappropriate content to spread rapidly across the platform.

X has not immediately responded to requests for comment on the situation, leaving questions about further protective measures unanswered as regulatory pressure continues to mount across multiple continents.