X, Elon Musk’s social media platform, has restricted its Grok AI image-generation feature to paying subscribers following international criticism over the creation of sexualized and nude images of women and children. Previously available to all users with daily limits, the tool allowed non-consensual edits and generated explicit content using uploaded photos, drawing condemnation from multiple countries.
The paywall restriction applies only to Grok on X; the standalone Grok app still allows unrestricted image generation. X and Musk have publicly denounced misuse of the feature and reaffirmed that users producing illegal content will face consequences equivalent to posting prohibited material on the platform.
Regulatory authorities have reacted globally. The European Union ordered xAI to retain all documentation on Grok, India’s communications ministry demanded immediate changes to prevent misuse, and the U.K.’s communications watchdog confirmed ongoing engagement with the company.
