X limits the creation of Grok images to paying subscribers only after they’ve pissed off the world

Elon Musk’s AI company has restricted Grok’s controversial AI image creation feature to paying subscribers only on

In his responses to users on Friday, Grok said that only paying X subscribers will be able to create and edit photos on the platform. Notably, these limits do not apply to the Grok app, which, at the time of publication, allowed anyone to create images without having to pay for a subscription.

Grok’s photo creation feature was initially available to anyone with daily limits, and allowed users to upload a photo of anyone and ask them to edit it or create a sexual or nude version. What followed was a veritable deluge of non-consensual sexual images of children, actors, models and prominent figures, drawing the ire of multiple countries.

Both X and Musk have publicly condemned the use of the tool to produce such images, writing that the company will adhere to its policies against posting illegal content on the social media platform. “Anyone who uses grok to create illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they uploaded illegal content,” Musk tweeted last week.

The UK, EU and India have publicly condemned X and Grok for allowing such use of their capabilities. The European Union on Thursday asked xAI to keep all documents related to the chatbot, and the Indian Telecom Ministry last week ordered X to make immediate changes to prevent misuse of its image creation features or risk safe haven protections in the country. The UK communications watchdog said it has been in contact with xAI about the issue as well.