RM Elon Musk Faces Mounting Criticism Over X and Grok Controversy—but Refuses to Retreat
Elon Musk is under growing pressure after his AI chatbot, Grok, was accused of producing sexualized images of real individuals, including, according to reports, minors. The controversy has triggered widespread backlash and prompted action from X, the social media platform owned by Musk’s xAI.
On Wednesday, X’s Safety team announced new safeguards restricting how Grok can be used. Under the updated measures, users will no longer be able to generate images of real people wearing sexually suggestive clothing in regions where such content is illegal. In addition, only paid subscribers will be permitted to use Grok’s image creation and editing features on X. Both X and Grok fall under the ownership of xAI.
However, The New York Times reported that these restrictions appear limited to Grok’s integration within X itself. This leaves open the possibility that users could bypass the rules by accessing Grok through its standalone app or website.
In its statement, X emphasized its commitment to platform safety, saying it maintains “zero tolerance” toward child sexual exploitation, non-consensual nudity, and unwanted sexual material.
The company also clarified that the new limits do not replace existing policies. X’s rules already ban content involving child sexual abuse, harassment, abusive behavior, and the sharing of non-consensual sexual images. Violations may result in reduced visibility, post removal, account restrictions, or full suspension for repeat offenders.
When Inc. reached out for comment, xAI responded tersely via email, stating, “Legacy Media Lies.”
The policy changes followed closely after California Attorney General Rob Bonta revealed that his office had launched an investigation into a surge of sexually explicit deepfake images circulating online.
“These images, which portray women and children in explicit and nude scenarios, have been weaponized to harass individuals across the internet,” Bonta said. He urged xAI to act swiftly to prevent further harm, stressing that authorities have “zero tolerance” for AI-generated non-consensual intimate imagery or child sexual abuse material.
