Platform X announced sweeping restrictions on its Grok AI chatbot this week, blocking its ability to generate or edit images of people in revealing clothing following international criticism. The move comes as California authorities investigate developer xAI over reports of nonconsensual sexualized imagery, particularly targeting women and children.
New geoblocking measures will prevent all users – including premium subscribers – from creating bikini or underwear-clad images in regions where such content violates local laws. An additional safeguard now limits image editing capabilities exclusively to paid accounts, described by X's safety team as "layered protection against misuse."
The European Commission confirmed it's evaluating these changes after earlier condemning Grok's output as "digitally facilitated harassment." Spokesperson Thomas Regnier stated: "We're scrutinizing whether these steps sufficiently protect EU citizens' dignity."
While X maintains these updates address ethical concerns, digital rights advocates argue the measures highlight unresolved challenges in AI governance. The developments arrive as global regulators intensify scrutiny of generative AI tools, with 2026 seeing multiple nations draft new synthetic media legislation.
