Elon Musk’s AI-powered chatbot Grok, integrated within the X social media platform, has recently imposed restrictions on image generation and editing functions, limiting these capabilities exclusively to users who subscribe to its paid service. This move follows a significant global backlash triggered by the chatbot's role in producing manipulated images that sexualize individuals, including women in bikinis and explicit scenarios, and in some cases, content resembling children.
Over recent weeks, reports from researchers have spotlighted the malign use of Grok’s image alteration features, highlighting the chatbot’s tendency to comply with malicious user commands that fabricate inappropriate visual material. Such activity has drawn the attention of governments worldwide, which have openly denounced the platform and commenced investigations into its operations.
Starting from Friday, non-paying users attempting to utilize Grok’s image modification capabilities received a message informing them that these features are now available only to paying subscribers. Users can unlock these functionalities by subscribing to a premium plan costing $8 per month, which also grants privileges such as increased chatbot usage limits and blue verified checkmarks on X.
Although the subscriber base for Grok has not been disclosed publicly, a marked decrease in the generation of explicit deepfake images was observed shortly after implementing the subscription-based access. Despite image requests still being fulfilled, they are now restricted to verified paying users.
An official representing X did not offer an immediate comment regarding these adjustments. Nonetheless, the limitation of image editing to subscribers has not mollified European leaders or regulatory authorities, who maintain a critical stance.
Thomas Regnier, spokesperson for the European Union’s executive Commission, emphasized that the fundamental concern remains unchanged. "Paid subscription or non-paid subscription, we don’t want to see such images. It’s as simple as that," he stated. The Commission had previously characterized Grok's activities in generating inappropriate imagery as "illegal" and "appalling."
Similarly, the British government expressed its disapproval of the modifications, describing them as insufficient. Geraint Ellis, spokesman for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, labeled Grok’s response "not a solution." Starmer had previously warned that X faced potential enforcement actions, highlighting expectations for rapid remediation.
Ellis remarked, "In fact, it is insulting to the victims of misogyny and sexual violence," indicating dissatisfaction that effective actions seemed delayed despite clear operational capacity. He added that the government was considering all possible responses to ensure the content is appropriately managed.
The UK’s media and privacy regulators have actively engaged with X and Musk’s artificial intelligence firm, xAI, seeking detailed information on compliance with British regulatory frameworks in relation to Grok’s functions.
In addition to European scrutiny, countries such as France, Malaysia, and India are investigating the platform, while in Brazil, a congressional legislator has called for a formal inquiry. The European Commission has mandated that X preserve all internal data and documentation concerning Grok until the conclusion of 2026, under provisions stemming from the Union’s digital safety legislation.
Grok is available at no cost on X and allows users to pose questions directly or by responding to posts on the platform. The chatbot was introduced in 2023 and later augmented with an image creation feature called Grok Imagine, which includes a "spicy mode" designed for adult content generation.
Concerns are heightened by Musk’s positioning of Grok as a less restricted alternative to competitors that incorporate more robust safeguards, coupled with the public visibility of generated images, facilitating rapid dissemination and potential misuse.