Elon Musk’s platform, X, just got a major reality check. Recently, they revealed that Grok, their AI image editing tool, will only be accessible by paying subscribers. This decision comes on the heels of a firestorm of criticism at the platform for allowing the production of sexualized deepfake material. Legal experts, including Professor Clare McGlynn, have condemned this proposal. They argue it is too weak and will have negative impacts for victims of online harassment and abuse.
The limitation on Grok’s image editing capabilities was confirmed on Friday morning when users attempting to modify images received a message stating that “image generation and editing are currently limited to paying subscribers.” If upheld, this decision will mark a courageous and important first step towards diversifying the platform’s approach to managing its AI weapons. It arrives in the wake of previous deepfake controversies.
Professor Clare McGlynn, an expert in the legal regulation of pornography and online abuse, remarked that this latest action mirrors past responses by X. She notably called out that the platform had at one time blocked searches for sexualized deepfakes related to Taylor Swift. This illustrates a long-standing trend of X’s shameful treatment of sensitive issues such as this.
Musk’s platform, in particular, has come under increased fire for its role in the spread of deepfake content. Critics have said that the recent restrictions imposed on Grok still fail to meaningfully protect against disruption or violence caused by online harassment and abuse. McGlynn expressed her disappointment with X’s handling of the situation, stating, “Instead of taking the responsible steps to ensure Grok could not be used for abusive purposes, it has withdrawn access for the vast majority of users.”
The controversy surrounding Grok is not isolated. Last year, X took big heat when it let users churn out sexually explicit Taylor Swift deepfakes. In response to that criticism, the platform promptly disabled searches for those types of images. Despite numerous reforms, most experts don’t believe these steps will prevent similar failures in the future.
McGlynn strongly criticized Musk’s promise to keep accountability at bay. He said that Musk appears more concerned with stirring new controversies over free speech than with taking real, meaningful steps to stop online harassment. She stated, “Musk has thrown his toys out of the pram in protest at being held to account for the tsunami of abuse.” This sentiment highlights a larger worry about what the platforms should be responsible for when it comes to harmful content.
X’s policy on AI-generated content has now come into sharper focus with Grok’s new restrictions. The platform’s decision to limit access to a select group of paying users raises questions about equity and access to tools that could potentially be misused. Critics argue that this approach disproportionately affects those who cannot afford subscriptions while failing to adequately protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.