X has moved to stop its AI chatbot Grok from editing photos of real people into revealing or sexualized images. The decision follows public outrage and government scrutiny over Grok’s ability to modify photos of women and, in some cases, children.
The company said it has added technical limits that prevent Grok from editing images of real people in clothing such as bikinis, underwear, or similar attire. These limits apply to all users. X also said image creation and editing through Grok on X now remain restricted to paid subscribers, which it described as an added layer of accountability.
What X Changed
X confirmed three core updates:
- Grok can no longer edit images of real people in revealing clothing.
- Image creation and editing through Grok on X are limited to paid subscribers.
- The platform now geoblocks image generation of people in bikinis, underwear, and similar attire in countries where such content is illegal.
X’s Safety team said the platform will continue to remove illegal content, suspend accounts, and work with law enforcement where required.
Behind the Change
Pressure mounted after users showed how Grok’s “Spicy Mode” could alter photos to produce sexualized images using simple prompts. Regulators in several countries began probes, and some jurisdictions blocked access to the chatbot. Critics also raised concerns about non-consensual images and child safety.
The European Commission acknowledged the new measures and said it would assess whether they adequately protect users in the EU.
What Remains in Question
Researchers at AI Forensics said they still see inconsistencies between how Grok behaves on X and how it responds in private chats on Grok’s website. Some paid users also report attempts to bypass the new limits.
X said anyone who uses Grok to create illegal content will face the same penalties as if they uploaded it directly.
“We have implemented technological measures to prevent the Grok account from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing such as bikinis. This restriction applies to all users, including paid subscribers.”
For now, X says the changes are in place. Regulators and advocacy groups continue to watch closely.
