X limits Grok image creation to paying users following widespread criticism.

      Grok Introduces Premium Features, Yet Issues Persist

      Grok, the AI chatbot backed by Elon Musk and integrated into X, has begun restricting its image generation and editing tools to paid subscribers. This decision comes in response to extensive criticism about the tool's capacity to produce non-consensual sexualized content. While this move clearly attempts to address the controversy, regulators, advocacy groups, and users contend that it does little to prevent the creation of harmful and potentially illegal imagery involving women and children.

      As of late Thursday, Grok officially placed its image creation features behind a paywall with X Premium, starting at $8 monthly.

      However, this decision has faced significant ridicule, being described as a “leaky” solution. While casual users on X may face restrictions, the image generation tools remain freely accessible via Grok’s standalone website and mobile app. This loophole undermines the platform’s claim of taking a strong stand against misuse, as the most dangerous tools remain easily accessible to the public.

      Safety researchers and digital activists doubt that requiring a credit card effectively addresses the issue. Many argue that it, in fact, monetizes the abuse. Deepfake researcher Genevieve Oh reported that Grok was still outputting over 1,500 harmful images every hour, even after the paywall implementation, which accounts for approximately 60% of its total public image generation. Oh's findings indicate that Grok generates sexualized content at a rate far surpassing even the most infamous dedicated “nudify” websites.

      The repercussions have ascended to the highest levels of the U.S. government.

      Democratic Senators Ron Wyden, Edward J. Markey, and Ben Ray Luján recently sent a letter to the CEOs of Apple and Google, demanding the removal of X from their app stores. The senators argued that by allowing these tools to continue functioning, X is displaying a “complete disregard” for safety regulations that all other app developers must adhere to.

      Internationally, pressure is also escalating. UK and Indian officials have criticized the paywall as an insufficient response. A representative for the British prime minister referred to the action as “insulting” to victims, implying that X is merely transforming a safety crisis into a premium revenue opportunity. Victims have shared similar experiences; campaigner Jess Davies reported that Grok was still able to digitally “undress” a photo of her through its standalone app on Friday morning, despite the announced restrictions.

      Interestingly, the controversy seems to be inadvertently boosting the platform financially.

      According to Sensor Tower estimates, mobile in-app purchase revenue on X surged by 18% on Thursday alone. This increase significantly surpassed the usual daily growth for the app, suggesting that the push to access Grok’s “spicy mode” might actually be benefiting X’s struggling finances.

      Legal experts caution that these half-measures are unlikely to withstand legal scrutiny for long. North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson described the Grok situation as a “turning point” for AI safety, highlighting how easily these systems can be exploited. He argued that the era of “move fast and break things” is encountering barriers when it comes to the dignity and safety of individuals.

      As challenges mount, X faces a crucial choice: implement solid, enforceable technical safeguards or risk being banned from major app stores and international markets. Whether Elon Musk opts to enhance the software itself—rather than merely restricting access to it—will determine whether Grok can be a legitimate tool or become a pariah in the generative AI landscape.

      Moinak Pal has been working in the technology sector covering both consumer-centric tech and automotive technology for the…

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