Elon Musk's Grok AI Cuts Image Editing Access Following Deepfake Controversy

Sun Jan 11 2026 01:28:42 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In response to a backlash regarding inappropriate deepfakes, Elon Musk's platform X restricts Grok AI's image editing feature to paid subscribers only, amidst calls for accountability.

Elon Musk's social media platform X has limited access to Grok AI's image editing capabilities exclusively to paying subscribers after significant criticism arose from users creating non-consensual deepfakes. The change comes after growing concerns over abusive uses of the technology, prompting experts to call for more stringent regulations. Critics argue that merely restricting access does not address the underlying issues of abuse that allowed such harmful content to proliferate in the first place.

Elon Musk's platform X has limited image editing with its AI tool Grok to paying users, after it came under fire for allowing people to make sexualised deepfakes.

There has been a significant backlash after the chatbot honoured requests from users to digitally alter images of other people by undressing them without their consent.

But Grok is now telling people asking it to make such material that only paid subscribers would be able to do so - meaning their name and payment information must be on file.

The BBC has approached X for comment.

Those who do not subscribe can still use Grok to edit images on its separate app and website.

Musk has thrown his toys out of the pram in protest at being held to account for the tsunami of abuse, said Professor Clare McGlynn, an expert in the legal regulation of pornography, sexual violence and online abuse.

Professor McGlynn added that the responsibility should not be shifted to users by limiting access only for subscriptions.

Ahead of the backlash, there were reports of Grok generating criminal imagery of underage girls, indicating a severe need for regulatory intervention. The government has urged Ofcom to employ all necessary powers, including potential banning actions against X.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer criticized the deepfake content, labeling it disgraceful and reaffirming the government's commitment to support regulatory actions against illegal imagery generated through Grok.

Despite the changes implemented, experts believe narrowing access does not resolve the initial issues and may only serve as a temporary solution. Dr. Daisy Dixon, a user affected by the situation, emphasized the need for ethical guardrails to prevent similar misuse in the future.

As of now, Grok invites users to subscribe if they want to unlock advanced editing features, with some reports indicating that only verified users have been granted such capabilities effectively. This shift gestures towards addressing past abuses while raising questions about how to regulate AI technology responsibly.