Elon Musk's social media platform X is continuing to allow users to generate and share sexually explicit AI-generated imagery of women, despite publicly announcing a crackdown earlier this week. A standalone version of its artificial intelligence tool, Grok Imagine, remains easily accessible and capable of creating nonconsensual content.
Workaround Exposes Limits of X's Restrictions
Following a week of intense public and political pressure, X stated on Wednesday that it had "implemented technological measures" to stop its Grok AI from editing images of real people into revealing clothing like bikinis. The company asserted a "zero tolerance" policy for nonconsensual nudity and child sexual exploitation.
However, an investigation by The Guardian found a significant loophole. Reporters accessed the separate Grok Imagine application via a web browser and successfully prompted it to digitally undress images of fully clothed women. The AI did not merely add bikinis but generated short videos mimicking a striptease. This content could then be posted directly to X's public platform without apparent moderation.
Political Outcry and Regulatory Scrutiny Intensifies
The failure to fully block the tool has drawn sharp criticism from politicians and campaigners. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who had previously labelled the AI-generated images as "disgusting" and "shameful", welcomed X's initial action but insisted compliance with UK law "must happen immediately".
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, while thanking those who spoke out, emphasised she would expect Ofcom's ongoing investigation to "fully and robustly establish" the facts. The media regulator confirmed its probe, launched on Monday, is continuing as it works to determine what went wrong.
Rebecca Hitchen of the End Violence Against Women Coalition stated the simple workaround proved X was not taking online violence against women seriously. Penny East, CEO of the Fawcett Society, accused Musk and the tech sector of failing to prioritise safety and dignity in their products.
Global Repercussions and a Surge in Interest
The controversy is having international ramifications. Authorities in the Philippines are moving to block Grok, while Malaysian officials plan legal action. Canada's privacy watchdog has also opened an investigation into xAI, the company behind Grok.
Paradoxically, the scandal appears to have boosted awareness of the AI tool. On Thursday, Elon Musk shared a post claiming Grok's "popularity and real world usage are skyrocketing globally", alongside a Google Trends graph showing searches for "Grok" at a new high.
A UK government spokesperson reiterated that the Online Safety Act already requires platforms to prevent illegal content, including nonconsensual intimate images. The government is also proposing a new 'nudification' offence to target tools specifically designed to create such material.
