Musk’s xAI Restricts Grok Image Generation on X After Backlash

News Desk

Islamabad: Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI has imposed restrictions on the image generation features of its chatbot Grok on social media platform X, following widespread backlash over the creation and sharing of sexualized images.

Previously, users were able to ask Grok directly on X to edit photos of individuals—such as removing clothing or placing them in sexualized poses—often without consent. The images were then automatically published by the chatbot in replies on the platform.

On Friday, Grok informed users that its image generation and editing features are now limited to paying subscribers on X. The change appears to have stopped the bot from automatically generating and publishing such images in response to posts or comments.

However, users can still create sexualized images through the Grok tab, where they interact directly with the chatbot, and then manually post the content on X. The standalone Grok app, which operates independently of X, also continues to allow image generation without a subscription.

xAI responded to emailed requests for comment from Reuters with what appeared to be an automated reply stating, “Legacy Media Lies.” X did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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Musk said last week that anyone using Grok to generate illegal content would face the same consequences as those uploading such material directly to the platform.

In a test on Friday, a Reuters reporter asked Grok on X to alter a photo to depict him wearing a bikini, a request that has become common among users. The chatbot declined and replied that the image generation tool was available only to paying subscribers.

The European Commission said the move did not address its concerns. A Commission spokesperson said that limiting the feature to paid users did not change the fundamental issue, adding that the EU did not want to see such images on the platform at all, regardless of subscription status.

Other governments and regulators have also criticized the platform, with some launching inquiries into the explicit content generated by Grok, increasing pressure on X to demonstrate how it is preventing and removing illegal material.

Germany’s media minister, Wolfram Weimer, described the spread of semi-nude images on the platform this week as the “industrialisation of sexual harassment.”