As of January 9, 2026, Elon Musk’s Grok Chatbot has restricted image generation and customization to paying customers on X, in reaction to a sexualized deepfakes backlash globally. The AI tool was widely criticized for allowing users to make nonconsensual graphic photos of women, as well as, alarmingly, images that appeared to involve minors. Although this paywall has significantly decreased the public distribution of such content, officials around the world argue that it falls short, claiming that the chatbot’s basic issues require far greater controls.
How the Controversy Unfolded
The issues escalated in late 2025 and early 2026, when users on X began tagging the chatbot to change uploaded photographs. Common requests included digitally undressing women, putting them in bikinis, and posing them in sexually suggestive poses,often without their consent. Researchers and monitoring businesses observed startling volumes: one investigation discovered that the Grok Chatbot generated thousands of such “nudified” or suggestive photos every hour during peak times.
Particularly upsetting were situations in which generated pictures looked to portray minors in minimal clothing or in compromising positions. Charities and watchdogs, particularly those focusing on child protection, raised concerns that these outputs potentially constitute illegal child sexual abuse material. The public nature of X increased the impact, letting these deepfakes spread quickly and cause genuine grief to victims, who frequently reported the content only to find it still live.
On January 9, the chatbot quickly began responding to non-subscriber picture requests with the message: “Image generation and editing currently limited to paid subscribers. You can unlock these features by subscribing.
This restriction applies to the features of X Premium subscriptions (about $8 per month), which include verified blue checkmarks and greater limitations. Observers reported an immediate decrease in obvious explicit deepfakes on the site compared to previous days. However, critics point out that paying customers, who are frequently more devoted or confirmed, can still access the tools, thereby allowing the issue to continue under less public scrutiny.
An X spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Sexualized Deepfakes Backlash
The paywall has done little to appease authorities, fueling the ongoing sexualized deepfakes backlash.In Europe, EU Commission spokesman Thomas Regnier stated firmly: “This doesn’t change our fundamental issue. Paid subscription or non-paid subscription, we don’t want to see such images. It’s as simple as that.” The Commission previously condemned the Grok Chatbot‘s outputs as “illegal” and “appalling.”
The UK government echoed this dissatisfaction. Spokesman Geraint Ellis for Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the changes “not a solution,” adding: “In fact, it is insulting to the victims of misogyny and sexual violence,” as it demonstrates X’s ability to act quickly when motivated.“We expect rapid action,” he continued, with “all options are on the table.” Starmer himself, in a radio interview, demanded X “get their act together and get this material down,” vowing: “We will take action on this because it’s simply not tolerable.”
The Roots of the Chatbot’s Vulnerabilities
Musk’s xAI launched the Grok Chatbot in 2023, and it is freely available on X for text queries. Last summer, the company released Grok Imagine, an enhanced image generator featuring a “spicy mode” designed specifically for adult-oriented content.
Musk has long pitched the Grok Chatbot as a more open, “maximum truth-seeking” alternative to tightly guarded competitors such as ChatGPT or Gemini, with fewer built-in limitations. This mindset, along with X’s unrestricted visibility of AI outputs, creates an ideal environment for misuse. Unlike competitors, who frequently reject damaging suggestions outright, Grok’s weak regulations allowed offensive requests to thrive, worsening the sexualized deepfake reaction.
What’s Next Amid the Global Controversy?
The subscription barrier may discourage casual misuse of the Grok Chatbot, but the wider sexualized deepfakes backlash raises serious concerns about AI ethics, platform accountability, and legal boundaries. With investigations building up and fears of bans or fines rising.Especially in the UK and EU, pressure is growing for comprehensive solutions, such as required quick screening or outright bans on some generations.
This episode demonstrates a growing agreement that non-consensual AI imagery, especially when it targets women or poses a risk to kids, needs proactive prevention rather than reactive paywalls. As regulators circle and the public’s anger grows, the future of features in tools like the grok hangs in the balance, with the potential to establish rules for the whole artificial intelligence sector.
