Grok, the AI tool on Elon Musk’s social media platform X, will no longer be able to ‘undress’ images of real people in jurisdictions where it is illegal.
The climbdown follows widespread condemnation of the tool, which is being used by thousands to remove the clothes of women and children in images.
Tesla and SpaceX entrepreneur Musk had previously slammed critics of the platform, saying “they want any excuse for censorship” and reposting messages criticising the UK government’s stance, including one featuring AI-generated images of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in a bikini.
Starmer had asked media regulator Ofcom for “all options to be on the table” – including an outright ban of X as well as heavy fines – and said Grok’s ability to virtually undress children was “disgraceful, disgusting and not to be tolerated”.
UK Business Secretary Peter Kyle said X “is not doing enough to keep its customers safe online” and Ofcom subsequently confirmed a fast-tracked investigation into Grok over the issue. Kyle said it was “appalling” that Grok appeared to have been released without adequate testing.
X disabled the image generator for free users – meaning only those who had logged personal details with X could use it – but the pressure intensified further after Malaysia and Indonesia became the first countries in the world to block access to Grok outright. Yesterday California confirmed that it was probing the spread of sexualised AI deepfakes, including of children, generated by the AI model.
“We now geoblock the ability of all users to generate images of real people in bikinis, underwear, and similar attire via the Grok account and in Grok in X in those jurisdictions where it’s illegal,” X said in a statement on Wednesday.
“We have implemented technological measures to prevent the Grok account from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing.”
The UK government claimed “vindication” after the ban was announced.
With NSFW (not safe for work) settings enabled, Grok is supposed to allow “upper body nudity of imaginary adult humans (not real ones)”.
Musk said this is consistent with content in R-rated films.
“That is the de facto standard in America. This will vary in other regions according to the laws on a country by country basis,” he wrote.