Background

X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, offers the Grok AI chatbot, which can generate and edit images. Over the past weeks, users have repeatedly prompted Grok to produce sexually explicit or non‑consensual images, including "undressing" pictures of women and sexualized depictions of apparent minors. The proliferation of such content has drawn intense scrutiny from regulators and advocacy groups worldwide.

New Restriction

In response, X announced that image generation and editing with Grok are now "currently limited to paying subscribers." The notice appears to users attempting to generate images, directing them to the platform's $395 annual subscription tier. Tests on X with a free account showed that the system no longer returns images, instead displaying the subscription message. However, the Grok app and website remain accessible to unverified users, who can still generate images, including explicit content.

Continued Abuse Potential

Despite the restriction, experts observe that Grok continues to produce sexualized images when prompted by verified, paying accounts. Researchers from the nonprofit AI Forensics note that the model still generates bikini and latex lingerie images, albeit in lower volume. Additionally, the standalone Grok website and mobile app have been used to create graphic sexual videos without any account verification.

Criticism and Reactions

Advocacy groups and industry experts criticize the change as a "monetization of abuse." Emma Pickering of the UK charity Refuge calls the paywall "insulting" to victims, arguing that it allows X to profit from harmful content while only marginally reducing its spread. British officials echo this sentiment, describing the move as turning unlawful AI capabilities into a premium service.

Regulatory and Legal Context

X and its AI subsidiary xAI face investigations in multiple jurisdictions over the creation of non‑consensual explicit imagery and alleged child sexual abuse material. While X maintains that it takes action against illegal content, the platform remains available in major app stores despite similar features being banned elsewhere.

Implications

The restriction may limit the immediate volume of harmful images on X, but it does not eliminate the underlying capability of Grok to generate such content. Experts warn that determined users could still access the tool via the app, website, or by using disposable payment methods to create a paid account. The broader debate centers on whether platforms should disable abusive AI functions entirely rather than merely restricting access.

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