UK condemns X moving to restrict Grok image tool to paying users

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - The UK government on Friday condemned a decision by Elon Musk's X to restrict its AI image creation tool to paying subscribers, saying the move simply turns the ability to generate unlawful images into a premium service.

The image tool for Grok, the artificial intelligence element of US-based social media company X, has been at the center of widespread anger after it was used to manipulate thousands of images of women – and sometimes children – to remove their clothing or place them in sexual positions.

Grok announced on Friday that the ability to generate and edit images would be “limited to paying subscribers.”

Those who pay are required to provide personal details, meaning they could potentially be identified if the function was misused.

However, Downing Street said the change did not go far enough.

“The move simply turns an AI feature that allows the creation of unlawful images into a premium service,” a spokesperson said.

“It’s not a solution. In fact, it’s insulting to victims of misogyny and sexual violence. What it does prove is that X can move swiftly when it wants to do so. You heard the prime minister yesterday. He was abundantly clear that X needs to act, and needs to act now. It is time for X to grip this issue. If another media company had billboards in town centers showing unlawful images, it would act immediately to take them down or face public backlash,” he added.

Asked whether No. 10 was considering further action, including leaving the platform, the spokesperson said “all options are on the table” and that the government would support any action taken by Ofcom, the UK’s media regulator.

Grok is a free tool that users can tag directly in posts or replies under other users’ posts to request responses.

However, the feature has also allowed people to ask it to edit images, including digitally removing most of a person’s clothing.