The UK government has sharply criticised X for limiting Grok’s controversial image-editing tools to paid users, arguing the move does little to protect victims—and instead risks monetising harm.
Speaking on Friday, Downing Street said X’s decision was “insulting” to those affected by misogyny and sexual abuse online. The criticism follows widespread backlash after Grok responded to user requests to digitally undress people without their consent.
Rather than fixing the problem, officials say, X has simply hidden it behind a subscription.
Why the UK Is Pushing Back
At the heart of the dispute is Grok’s ability to edit images—sometimes producing sexualised or degrading content. While X now restricts these features to paying subscribers, government officials argue the change misses the point.
“It turns an AI tool capable of generating unlawful images into a premium service,” a spokesperson said, adding that the company’s quick response shows it can act decisively—when it wants to.
X has not publicly commented. The BBC News has approached the company for a response.
Experts Say the Fix Is Superficial
Legal and safety experts have been blunt. Professor Clare McGlynn, who studies online abuse and sexual violence, described the move as a familiar tactic.
“Instead of building proper safeguards, access is being withdrawn for most users,” she said. “That doesn’t address the underlying risk.”
The Internet Watch Foundation echoed that concern, saying limiting access does not undo the damage already caused. The charity previously said its analysts found criminal imagery of young girls that appeared to be generated using Grok.
“This tool should never have been able to do this in the first place,” said policy head Hannah Swirsky.
Regulators Are Watching Closely
The controversy has renewed pressure on Ofcom, which oversees platform safety under the Online Safety Act.
The regulator has sweeping powers, including seeking court orders that could restrict how platforms operate in the UK. Government sources say all options are now on the table.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has already weighed in, calling the content generated by Grok “disgraceful” and “unlawful,” and pledging full backing for regulatory action.
A Familiar Pattern for X
This isn’t the first time X has faced criticism for reacting after harm has occurred. Observers point to last year’s deepfake controversy involving Taylor Swift, when platform controls were tightened only after public outrage.
Critics say Elon Musk often frames these debates as free speech clashes. But regulators argue the law simply requires reasonable steps to reduce harm—not silence innovation.
The Grok backlash highlights a growing issue for AI platforms: is restricting access enough, or do systems need deeper redesigns to prevent abuse altogether?
For victims, the answer is clear. A paywall may reduce visibility, but it doesn’t remove the threat.
Conclusion
The UK isn’t convinced that locking risky AI tools behind a subscription solves anything. With regulators circling, X’s handling of Grok could become a defining test for how governments respond to AI that moves fast—and breaks trust even faster.