X Blocks Grok from Generating Revealing Images Amid Legal Pressure
X, formerly known as Twitter, has implemented new technical restrictions to prevent its AI, Grok, from generating images of real people in revealing outfits, such as bikinis or lingerie. The policy applies to all users, including premium subscribers, following widespread backlash over deepfake and sexually explicit AI-generated content that circulated early in 2026.
The move comes amid mounting global regulatory pressure. In California, Attorney General Rob Bonta has launched an official investigation into xAI after reports surfaced of unauthorized Grok-generated explicit imagery. In the UK, Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that failure to control such content could lead to a ban under the Online Safety Act, carrying fines up to 10% of global revenue.
Elon Musk, CEO of X and xAI, denied allegations of illegal content creation, stating that zero illicit material exists and emphasizing that Grok will not generate illegal content in any jurisdiction. Musk noted that some incidents may be caused by adversarial hacking attempts to bypass safety filters, which the team is actively monitoring and fixing.
X has also introduced geoblocking measures to restrict image generation in regions with strict laws, limiting creation and editing rights to subscribed users only, ensuring traceability and accountability. This reflects the platform’s increasing awareness of legal risks associated with AI-generated content.
Countries like Indonesia and Malaysia have already blocked access to Grok over the past weekend. In the U.S., some senators have pressured Apple and Google to remove the X app from app stores unless deepfake issues are fully addressed, highlighting a significant credibility challenge for xAI.
From a business perspective, losing access in blocked countries could cost millions of USD in advertising revenue, with Southeast Asia alone potentially losing over $50 million (≈1.675 billion THB) annually. The temporary restriction is seen as a necessary step to maintain Grok’s legal compliance and long-term competitiveness against rivals like ChatGPT and Gemini.
Source: Mashable
