X has announced significant changes to Grok’s image-editing capabilities following a multi-week outcry regarding the chatbot’s generation of nonconsensual nudity and sexualized images involving children. The company has implemented technological safeguards specifically designed to prevent Grok from editing images of real people in revealing clothing, such as bikinis. These new restrictions will apply to all users, regardless of their subscription status.
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In addition to editing constraints, xAI is moving all image-generation features behind a subscriber paywall, meaning non-paying users will no longer be able to create images. The company also plans to geoblock the ability to generate images of real people in bikinis, underwear, or similar attire in regions where such content is illegal.
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These policy shifts follow the opening of an investigation by the state of California into xAI and Grok over the handling of AI-generated nudity and child exploitation material. California Attorney General Rob Bonta cited an analysis showing that more than half of 20,000 images generated by xAI during a week-long period at the end of last year depicted people in minimal clothing, including some who appeared to be minors. Grok is facing similar pressure internationally; Malaysia and Indonesia have already blocked the chatbot, and regulators in the United Kingdom are currently investigating the platform.
X maintains a “zero tolerance” policy for child exploitation and asserts that it removes high-priority violative content, including Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), from its platform. Elon Musk stated he was unaware of any naked underage images generated by Grok and clarified that when NSFW settings are enabled, the tool is intended to allow only upper-body nudity of imaginary adult humans. Musk compared these standards to R-rated movies on Apple TV and noted that content availability will vary based on local laws in different regions.
