Grok Limited Deepfake Sex Image Making Feature, UK PM: It Does Not Solve the Problem
JAKARTA - Elon Musk's artificial intelligence chatbot Grok has limited the image creation and editing features on the X platform following an international wave of criticism regarding its misuse to create sexual deepfakes against women and children. Starting Friday, January 9, Grok only allows image creation features on X for paid users.
The restriction was announced directly by Grok to X users. However, the standalone version of the Grok app, which is separate from X, still allows users to generate images without having to subscribe.
This step was taken after pressure increased from various countries as well as threats of fines against X and xAI. A number of governments highlighted Grok's features that allow users to manipulate online photos, including removing the subject's clothes in the picture. The European Commission stated that such images circulating on X are illegal and "shameful".
The UK data protection regulator also said it had asked X for clarification on its compliance with data protection laws, following concerns that Grok produced sexually harassing images of women.
The British Prime Minister's Office, Keir Starmer, strongly criticized the restriction policy. A Downing Street spokesman called the move to restrict the feature to paying customers as "insulting to victims" and "not a solution".
"It's just changing the AI feature that allows illegal image creation into a premium service," the spokesperson said. "It's insulting to the victims of misogyny and sexual violence."
The European Commission said it had "noted the latest changes" made by X. However, the spokesperson for the EU's digital affairs, Thomas Regnier, stressed that the changes did not answer the main question.
"This doesn't change our fundamental problem, whether it's paid subscriptions or not," Regnier told reporters. "We don't want to see these kinds of images. It's as simple as that. All we ask of platforms is to ensure their design and systems do not allow the creation of this kind of illegal content."
In response to the controversy, the European Commission ordered X to store all internal documents and data related to Grok until the end of 2026. In addition to the European Union and the United Kingdom, France, Malaysia, and India have also criticized Elon Musk's platform.
Last week, Musk said that anyone using Grok to create illegal content would face the same legal consequences as if they had uploaded the illegal material directly to the platform.
This controversy is not the first for Grok. Last year, the chatbot was criticized for giving anti-Semitic answers to X users. In July, the artificial intelligence company xAI even disabled Grok's text responses and deleted a number of uploads after the chatbot praised Adolf Hitler and made anti-Semitic statements.
These cases are further highlighting the role of generative artificial intelligence and the responsibility of digital platforms in preventing the misuse of technology that can harm individuals and society at large.