xAI Moves to Rein in Grok After Backlash Over Explicit Images
The company moves after reports of nonconsensual sexual imagery trigger regulatory scrutiny in the US and abroad.
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Elon Musk’s xAI on Wednesday moved to curb Grok’s ability to generate or edit sexualized images of real people after a wave of nonconsensual content spread on X and drew scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers.
In a post on X on 14 January 2026, the company said it had added technical restrictions to stop users from editing images of real people into “revealing clothing” such as bikinis, and said the limits apply to all users, including paid subscribers.
“We have implemented technological measures to prevent the Grok account from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing, such as bikinis. These restrictions applies to all users, including paid subscribers,” XAI said in a post on Musk-owned microblogging site X.
xAI also said it would block image generation by location in jurisdictions where creating such images is illegal, using geoblocking controls.
The changes follow reports and user complaints that Grok’s image tools were being used to “digitally undress” women and, in some cases, minors, producing sexualized images that then circulated widely on X.
California officials escalated the pressure on Wednesday. Attorney general Rob Bonta announced an investigation into xAI over the “proliferation” of nonconsensual sexually explicit material generated using Grok, and said the state was seeking answers from the company on how it plans to stop the creation and spread of such content.
“We are demanding immediate answers from XAI on their plan to stop the creation and spread of this content,” Bonta wrote on X. Governor Gavin Newsom called on Bonta “to immediately investigate the company and hold xAI accountable.”
Musk said he was not aware of any “naked underage images” generated by Grok, a statement that came as scrutiny widened beyond California.
Earlier this month, three Democratic US senators called on Apple and Google to remove X and its built-in Grok chatbot from their app stores, citing the spread of nonconsensual sexual images on the platform.
