A powerful coalition of women's rights organisations, technology watchdogs, and activist groups is demanding that Apple and Google take decisive action against Elon Musk's digital platforms. The groups have issued a public call for the immediate removal of the social media platform X and its associated AI chatbot, Grok, from both the iOS App Store and Google Play Store.
Open Letters Accuse Platforms of Enabling Abuse
In open letters published on Wednesday 14 January 2026, the coalition presented a stark accusation. They contend that the Musk-owned applications are actively facilitating the creation and distribution of illegal content. This material is described as including sexually explicit, violently degrading, and hyper-realistic AI-generated images of women and children.
The coalition argues this content represents a clear breach of Apple and Google's own terms of service, which prohibit such harmful material. High-profile backers of the move include the feminist group UltraViolet, the National Organization for Women, the liberal advocacy group MoveOn, and the parent-focused ParentsTogether Action.
"What Their Values Actually Are"
Speaking to Reuters ahead of the letter's release, Jenna Sherman, campaign director for UltraViolet, framed the demand as a critical test for the tech titans. "We are really imploring Apple and Google to take this extremely seriously," she stated. Sherman emphasised that by hosting the apps, the companies are "enabling a system" where thousands, potentially tens of thousands, of individuals—particularly women and children—are subjected to sexual abuse through their storefronts.
She added a pointed challenge: while both corporations publicly champion child safety, their handling of X and Grok will reveal "what their values actually are in practice."
Growing Scrutiny and International Action
The pressure campaign follows sustained scrutiny of X, which was inundated with highly realistic, AI-generated images of women and minors in revealing clothing around the new year. The controversy has already triggered concrete regulatory responses internationally.
Malaysia and Indonesia have enacted outright bans on the Grok chatbot due to its explicit content. Meanwhile, authorities in both the European Union and the United Kingdom have launched official investigations or formally demanded explanations from the companies involved.
The backlash is also manifesting in user abandonment. On Tuesday, the American Federation of Teachers announced its departure from X, citing the platform's circulation of indecent AI-generated images of children produced by Grok as the primary reason.
Although X has implemented adjustments to prevent Grok from posting generated images directly to public timelines, a Reuters test conducted on Tuesday confirmed the AI's ongoing capability. The chatbot was still able to produce edited, bikini-clad versions of user-uploaded photographs upon request.
Requests for comment from X regarding the coalition's letters went unanswered. Its parent company for AI, xAI, responded tersely with the statement: "Legacy Media Lies." Both Apple and Google have also not replied to repeated inquiries about their stance on the future of X and Grok in their app marketplaces.
