Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok has disabled its image creation and editing features for non-paying users following intense backlash over the tool’s use in generating sexualized deepfake images of women and children.
The move comes after governments and regulators across the world threatened fines and legal action, accusing the platform of enabling the creation of unlawful and harmful content by allowing users to digitally remove clothing from images found online.
Responding to users on Friday via X, Musk’s social media platform, Grok announced the restriction:
“Image generation and editing are currently limited to paying subscribers. You can subscribe to unlock these features.”
The decision effectively blocks free users from generating or editing images, while paying subscribers—who must provide credit card details and personal information—retain access.
However, the move has done little to calm criticism.
UK, EU Slam Grok Restriction as “Not a Solution”
The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s office strongly condemned the decision, calling it “insulting” to victims of sexual violence and misogyny.
“That simply turns an AI feature that allows the creation of unlawful images into a premium service,” a Downing Street spokesperson said.
“It’s insulting to the victims of misogyny and sexual violence.”
The European Union, which has previously declared the creation of nude AI images of women and children illegal, said it had taken note of Grok’s changes—but stressed that the core issue remains unresolved.
EU digital affairs spokesperson Thomas Regnier told reporters:
“This doesn’t change our fundamental issue, paid subscription or non-paid subscription. We don’t want to see such images. It’s as simple as that.”
He added that platforms must ensure their systems and design do not allow illegal content to be generated at all, regardless of payment status.
EU Orders X to Preserve Grok Data Until 2026
In response to the controversy, the European Commission has ordered X to retain all internal documents and data related to Grok until the end of 2026, signaling potential regulatory or legal action.
Several other countries—including France, Malaysia, and India—have also publicly criticized Musk’s platform over the deepfake images scandal.
Musk Defends Platform, Warns Users
Last week, Musk addressed the issue directly on X, warning users of consequences for abusing the AI tool.
“Anyone using Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content,” Musk wrote.
X’s official Safety account later stated that the platform deals with illegal content by removing it, permanently suspending accounts, and cooperating with local governments and law enforcement.
Despite the changes, critics argue that limiting access to paying users fails to address the core design flaws that allowed the abuse in the first place—raising broader concerns about AI regulation, platform accountability, and online safety.
