UK Government Condemns Musk's Grok AI Changes as 'Insulting' to Victims

Sun Jan 11 2026 01:27:02 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The UK government has criticized Elon Musk's decision to limit image editing on Grok AI to paid users, calling it an insult to victims of misogyny and sexual violence.

Downing Street has labeled Elon Musk's recent changes to the Grok AI platform, which restricts image editing features to paying subscribers, as 'insulting' to victims of abuse. This decision follows outcry over Grok's previous ability to generate unlawful imagery, prompting calls for stricter regulations on the platform. Critics argue that monetizing such features effectively profits from harm, while government officials demand immediate action from X to safeguard users.

The UK government says Elon Musk's platform X limiting Grok AI image edits to paid users is 'insulting' to victims of misogyny and sexual violence.

Speaking on Friday, Downing Street said the move 'simply turns an AI feature that allows the creation of unlawful images into a premium service'.

It follows significant backlash after Grok digitally altered images of others by undressing them - something it says it now can only do for those who pay a monthly fee.

However, it has no such restrictions when accessed through its 'edit image' functionality, separate app or website.

The BBC has approached X for comment...

Ofcom's powers under the Online Safety Act include being able to seek a court order to prevent third parties from helping the Elon Musk-owned platform raise money or be accessed in the UK.

The BBC has approached the regulator for comment. Lib Dem frontbenchers Victoria Collins, Marie Goldman and Max Wilkinson have written to Ofcom boss Dame Melanie Dawes, asking her to take action.

If any other platform were found to be facilitating the mass generation of sexual abuse imagery at this scale, it is difficult to believe it would be permitted to continue operating uninterrupted, they wrote.