Elon Musk-owned X says its synthetic intelligence device, Grok, has been restricted from producing or modifying photographs of actual individuals in bikinis, underwear, or related revealing clothes in nations the place such content material is against the law.
The choice follows mounting criticism over the unfold of sexualised AI deepfakes and elevated regulatory strain in the UK and the US.
The change was introduced by X, previously Twitter, simply hours after California authorities disclosed a probe into the circulation of sexualised AI-generated photographs, together with these involving youngsters.
What X mentioned
In an announcement posted on X, the corporate mentioned it has launched technical restrictions and location-based controls to cease Grok from getting used to create sexualised photographs of actual individuals
“We have now carried out technological measures to stop the Grok account from permitting the modifying of photographs of actual individuals in revealing clothes.”
“We now geoblock the power of all customers to generate photographs of actual individuals in bikinis, underwear, and related apparel by way of the Grok account and in Grok in X in these jurisdictions the place it’s unlawful.”
The corporate additionally reiterated that solely paid customers can have entry to picture modifying options on Grok.
In response to X, this restriction is supposed to enhance accountability, noting that it might add an additional layer of safety by serving to to make sure that those that attempt to abuse Grok to violate the regulation or X’s insurance policies are held accountable.
The UK authorities welcome transfer
The announcement drew instant reactions from UK authorities, the place the problem has triggered political and regulatory scrutiny.
Reacting to the event, the UK authorities mentioned it felt “vindication” after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer publicly urged X to rein in its AI instruments.
A spokesperson for the UK media regulator Ofcom described the choice as a welcome improvement however pressured that regulatory scrutiny was not over.
“We’re working across the clock to progress this and get solutions into what went fallacious and what’s being completed to repair it,” the spokesperson mentioned, including that the investigation into whether or not X breached UK legal guidelines stays ongoing.
Musk defends content material guidelines and free speech
Musk, who owns X, had earlier defended the platform towards criticism. With NSFW settings enabled, he mentioned Grok permits restricted content material involving fictional characters solely.
“With NSFW (not protected for work) settings enabled, Grok is meant to permit ‘higher physique nudity of imaginary grownup people (not actual ones)’ according to what could be seen in R-rated movies,” Musk wrote.
“That’s the de facto normal in America. This may fluctuate in different areas in keeping with the legal guidelines on a rustic by nation foundation,” he added.
Nevertheless, Musk additionally drew backlash after posting that critics “simply need to suppress free speech” alongside AI-generated photographs of UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in a bikini.
Doable sanctions
Ofcom confirmed earlier this week that it’s investigating whether or not X didn’t adjust to UK regulation over the distribution of sexual photographs. If the platform is discovered to be in breach and fails to conform, the regulator may search a court docket order compelling web service suppliers to dam entry to X within the UK.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had warned that X may lose the “proper to self-regulate” over the controversy, although he later mentioned he welcomed studies that the platform was taking steps to handle the problem. He added that he would “take the required measures” and strengthen laws if X didn’t act.
What it’s best to know
Considerations over Grok picture technology erupted late in 2025 when customers on X started utilizing Grok to provide sexually specific or revealing photographs of actual individuals with out their consent.
- Investigations by unbiased analysts discovered that the AI was complying with prompts to generate imagery that would embrace undressed figures or suggestive poses, usually of ladies and in some instances showing to contain minors.
- This raised alarms about non-consensual intimate picture abuse and potential baby sexual abuse materials.
- The UK authorities and regulator Ofcom responded rapidly, opening a proper investigation beneath the On-line Security Act to find out whether or not X failed to stop unlawful content material. X later restricted Grok from creating sexualised photographs of actual individuals, however Ofcom mentioned its probe will proceed to find out if the platform broke UK regulation.
- In the US, California’s legal professional basic opened a state investigation into whether or not Grok’s deepfakes, together with these involving youngsters, violated native regulation.
A number of nations moved past investigation to motion. Malaysia and Indonesia each briefly blocked entry to Grok over considerations about sexually specific AI content material and its potential to hurt residents, particularly minors.
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