Social media platform X is under growing pressure from regulators and politicians over its AI chatbot Grok, which has been reported to produce sexually explicit images of children and manipulate photographs of real women and girls. The controversy has sparked warnings that the platform could face restrictions or even be shut down in some countries.
Elon Musk, X’s owner, defended the platform on Tuesday, dismissing criticism as an attempt to justify censorship. Pointing to other AI programs that generate non-sexualized images of women in bikinis, Musk wrote on X: “They want any excuse for censorship.”
The controversy stems from new image editing features added to Grok in late December. These features allow users to generate or manipulate images, including sexualized depictions of real people and children. The development has drawn widespread condemnation from politicians, regulators, and campaign groups across Europe and the UK.
X appeared to restrict some of Grok’s image manipulation features yesterday, limiting them to paid subscribers who request edits in replies to other posts. However, other methods of creating or editing images, including via a separate Grok website, reportedly remain accessible.
Minister of State for AI, Niamh Smyth, described the changes as “window dressing” and said the platform had agreed to meet with her in the coming weeks. Children’s Ombudsman Dr. Niall Muldoon said the update “makes no major difference” in addressing the concerns. Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland’s media regulator, confirmed it is engaging with the European Commission on the issue.
In the UK, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall criticised Grok’s capabilities, calling the sexual manipulation of images of women and children “despicable and abhorrent.” She confirmed that Ofcom, the media regulator, is conducting an expedited assessment under the Online Safety Act. The regulator has powers to fine companies up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue, pursue criminal action, or block a platform entirely by directing payment providers, advertisers, and internet service providers to stop supporting it, subject to court approval.
Musk responded to criticism by sharing a post from US legislator Anna Paulina Luna warning of potential sanctions against British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the UK if X were blocked. Kendall said it is “totally unacceptable for Grok to allow this if you’re willing to pay for it” and expects an update on Ofcom’s next steps “in days, not weeks.”
UK lawmakers are also moving to criminalise the creation of intimate images without consent through the Crime and Policing Bill. Plans to ban “nudification” apps that digitally remove clothing from images are included, with provisions set to come into force in the coming weeks.
X has previously stated that it takes action against illegal content on the platform, including child sexual abuse material, by removing offending content, suspending accounts, and cooperating with governments and law enforcement. Despite these assurances, critics say the latest Grok features expose ongoing risks to vulnerable users.
