Elon Musk’s Grok AI image editing limited to paid users after deepfakes

Elon Musk’s platform

There was a serious backlash after the chatbot complied with users’ requests to digitally alter other people’s images by removing their clothes without their consent.

But Grok now says it wants people to create material where only paid subscribers can do so; This means their name and payment information must be on file.

The BBC has approached X for comment.

Non-subscribers can continue to use Grok to edit images in its separate app and website.

“Musk threw his toys out of his stroller to protest being held responsible for the tsunami of abuse,” said Professor Clare McGlynn, an expert on the legal regulation of pornography, sexual violence and online abuse.

“Instead of taking responsible steps to ensure that Grok was not used for malicious purposes, it withdrew access from the vast majority of users.”

Hannah Swirsky, head of policy at the Internet Watch Foundation, said this “does not eliminate the harm that has been done”.

“We don’t believe it’s good enough to simply limit access to a tool that should never have the capacity to create the kinds of images we’ve seen in recent days,” he said.

Charity it has been said before analysts discovered “criminal images” of girls aged 11 to 13 that “appeared to have been created” using Grok.

“It is unacceptable to sit back and wait for unsafe products to be abused before taking action,” Swirsky said.

It comes after the government Regulator urges Ofcom to use full powers against X – including an effective ban – over concerns about illegal AI images created on the site.

Addressing concerns that Grok had created sexualised images of adults and children, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it was “disgraceful” and “disgusting”.

He said Ofcom had the “full support” of the government to take action on the content.

“This is illegal. We will not tolerate it. I wanted all options to be on the table,” he said in an interview with Greatest Hits Radio.

Government sources told BBC News: “We expect Ofcom to use all the powers at its disposal in relation to Grok and X.”

Ofcom’s powers Online Security Act This includes seeking a court order to prevent third parties from helping Elon Musk’s platform raise money or gain access to it in the UK.

The BBC has approached the regulator for comment.

Grok is a free tool where users can request a specific response by tagging them directly in posts or in replies below other users’ posts.

But the feature also allowed people to request that he edit images and digitally remove most of people’s clothing.

Grok has complied with many user requests to edit photos of women to show them in bikinis or skimpy clothing; Those who have been subjected to such demands told the BBC they felt this way. “humiliated” And “inhumane“.

But as of Friday morning, Grok told users that “image creation and editing is currently limited to paying subscribers,” prompting users to modify images uploaded to X.

It adds that users can “subscribe to unlock these features.”

Some posts on the platform seen by BBC News show that only those with the blue tick “verified”, exclusive to X’s paid subscriber tier, have been able to successfully request image edits from Grok.

Female X user Dr. said she has seen an increase in the number of people using Grok to rob her. Daisy Dixon welcomed the change but said it felt “like a sticking plaster”.

“Grok needs to be completely redesigned and have ethical guardrails built in to prevent this from happening again,” he told the BBC.

“Elon Musk also needs to accept this for what it is – another example of gender-based violation.”

Prof McGlynn said X’s movement reflected his approach with pornographic Taylor Swift made a deepfake on the platform last year – Grok AI blocked the search for sexually explicit material produced by the pop star by using its video feature.

“He is doing this to fuel debates on freedom of expression,” he added.

“He will argue that regulations prevent people from using this technology. But all the regulation requires is that he take the necessary precautions to reduce the harm.”