By Micah Jonah
January 9, 2026
Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup, xAI, has moved to curb parts of its image-generation feature on the social media platform X after widespread criticism over the creation and circulation of sexualized images, including altered photos of real people.
The Grok chatbot, which had allowed users to generate and automatically publish edited images in replies on X, is now restricting those features to paid subscribers. The change appears to have halted the bot’s ability to instantly post such images in public comment threads, following days of mounting backlash from regulators, advocacy groups and governments.
Before the restrictions, users frequently prompted Grok to manipulate photos by removing clothing or placing individuals into sexualized scenarios, often without consent. Some of the images involved women and minors, triggering legal scrutiny, condemnation across Europe and beyond.
Despite the new limits, gaps remain. Users can still generate explicit images through Grok’s dedicated interface on X or via its standalone app, which continues to allow image creation without a paid subscription. Those images can then be manually uploaded to the platform, raising questions about the effectiveness of the changes.
European officials said the move fails to address the core issue. Regulators stressed that restricting access based on payment does not resolve concerns around consent, legality or the spread of abusive content. One EU spokesperson said authorities do not want such images circulating at all, regardless of how users gain access to the tools.
Musk has defended Grok as a platform for free expression, while warning that users who generate illegal content could face consequences – similar to those for uploading such material directly. However, xAI did not provide a substantive response to questions about safeguards, instead issuing an automated reply, dismissing criticism from traditional media.
Governments in multiple jurisdictions have opened inquiries into the chatbot’s behaviour, with Germany’s media minister describing the flood of AI-generated explicit images as the “industrialization of sexual harassment.”
Legal experts say the controversy could accelerate efforts to tighten regulation of generative AI tools, particularly when they intersect with social media platforms.
The episode marks a critical test for Musk’s vision of minimal moderation in AI-driven systems, as Grok’s rapid deployment collides with growing demands for accountability, consent protections and enforcement against digital abuse.
