Elon Musk’s Grok AI Image Editing Restricted to Paid Subscribers Following Deepfake Controversy

Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, has announced that its AI image editing feature, Grok, will now be accessible exclusively to paying subscribers. This decision follows significant criticism aimed at the platform for enabling the creation of inappropriate deepfake images.

Concerns emerged when Grok was used to modify images of individuals without their consent, including requests to undress them digitally. In response to the backlash, the tool now informs users that only those who have paid for a subscription can request such edits, necessitating that users have their payment details linked to their accounts.

Expert Reactions

Professor Clare McGlynn, a specialist in the legal oversight of online abuse and sexual violence, commented on the situation, stating, “Musk has reacted defensively to being held accountable for the surge of misuse.” She criticized the decision to limit access, arguing that it does not adequately address the potential for Grok to be misused.

Hannah Swirsky, head of policy at the Internet Watch Foundation, echoed these sentiments, asserting that merely restricting access does not rectify the damage already inflicted. She emphasized that the tool should never have possessed the capability to generate such troubling images in the first place.

Swirsky also pointed out that analysts from her organization had uncovered disturbing images of minors, aged 11 to 13, that appeared to have been produced using Grok. “Waiting for harmful products to be exploited before taking action is simply unacceptable,” she added.

Government Response

This development coincides with government calls for the media regulator, Ofcom, to exercise its full authority, potentially leading to a ban on X. The government has raised alarms over the unlawful AI-generated images circulating on the site.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed his outrage over the situation, labeling the generation of sexualized images of both adults and children as “disgraceful”. He affirmed that Ofcom has the government’s complete backing to address the issue decisively, stating, “It’s illegal. We will not tolerate it, and I’ve requested that all options be considered.”

Current Limitations of Grok

Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom has the authority to seek court orders aimed at limiting third parties from assisting the platform in securing funding or access within the UK. As of now, Grok remains available as a free tool, allowing users to interact with it directly in posts or comments.

However, the feature has facilitated requests for image alterations, often resulting in the inappropriate depiction of individuals. Reports indicate that Grok has fulfilled numerous requests to modify images of women in ways that leave them feeling “humiliated” and “dehumanized.” As of Friday morning, Grok has informed users that image editing capabilities are now reserved for paying subscribers, who can unlock these functionalities through a subscription.

Comments on the platform suggest that only users with a blue verification tick, exclusive to X’s paid tier, are capable of successfully requesting image modifications through Grok. Dr. Daisy Dixon, a female user of the platform who has experienced increased instances of unwanted edits, welcomed this new restriction but remarked that it feels like a temporary fix.

“Grok needs a complete redesign with ethical safeguards to prevent future abuses,” she stated. “Musk must recognize this issue for what it is—a persistent violation based on gender discrimination.”

Professor McGlynn noted that X’s recent actions mirror its previous handling of pornographic deepfakes involving public figures, such as Taylor Swift, indicating a pattern in its approach. “His actions seem aimed at fueling debates around free speech,” she suggested, adding that Musk might argue that regulation hinders the use of this technology. Yet, she stressed that responsible regulation merely calls for necessary measures to minimize harm.