Elon Musk’s startup xAI has imposed restrictions on the image-generation feature of its Grok chatbot on X after the tool faced backlash for creating sexualized images. Previously, users could instruct Grok to edit photos of people, including removing clothing and placing them in sexualized poses—often without consent—and the chatbot would publish these images in replies on the platform.

As of Friday, Grok informed users that image generation and editing are now limited to paying subscribers. This appears to have stopped the bot from automatically creating and posting such images in response to user comments, though users can still generate sexualized images through the Grok tab on X or the standalone Grok app without a subscription and post them manually.

When asked for comment, xAI responded to Reuters with an automated message saying, "Legacy Media Lies," while X did not immediately reply. Musk previously stated that anyone using Grok to create illegal content would face the same consequences as uploading such material directly. A Reuters reporter tested Grok by asking it to transform a photo into a bikini-clad version; the bot declined, noting the feature is subscription-only.

The European Commission criticized the restrictions, saying limiting access to paying subscribers does not address the core issue of unlawful sexualized images. Other governments and regulators have also condemned the content and opened inquiries, pressuring the platform to prevent and remove illegal material. German media minister Wolfram Weimer described the flood of semi-nude images as the “industrialization of sexual harassment.”