Grok turns off AI image generation for non-payers after nudes backlash

Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok has turned off its image creation feature for non-paying users following backlash over its use to create sexualized deepfakes of women and children.

Musk has been threatened with fines, and several countries have recently pushed back publicly against the tool over its creation of the sexually explicit imagery.

Some users reportedly used Grok to generate pictures of women and children undressed, sometimes putting them in sexualized positions.


Replying to users Friday on Musk's social media platform X, Grok posted: "Image generation and editing are currently limited to paying subscribers. You can subscribe to unlock these features."

The change means many of the tool's users can no longer generate or edit images using the AI. Paying customers must give the platform their credit card information and personal details.

The European Commission this week said the photos of undressed women and children were unlawful and on Thursday ordered X to retain all internal documents and data related to Grok until the end of 2026.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said X has "got to get a grip of this" and noted he asked communications regulator Ofcom "for all options to be on the table," according to media reports. He called the images "unlawful" and said Britain was "not going to tolerate it."

France, Malaysia and India have also criticized Musk's platform over the issue.

"Anyone using Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content," Musk wrote on X last week in response to a post about the explicit images.

X's official "Safety" account subsequently said it addresses illegal content on X "by removing it, permanently suspending accounts, and working with local governments and law enforcement as necessary."