Elon Musk's artificial intelligence platform, Grok, has made a significant policy shift, locking its image generation and editing capabilities behind a paywall. This decision, announced on Friday, 9 January 2026, comes in direct response to a fierce international backlash over the tool being used to create sexualised deepfake images of women and children.
Global Outcry Forces Grok's Hand
The move by Grok followed threats of fines and sanctions from governments and regulators worldwide. The core issue was the AI's ability to manipulate online pictures to digitally remove clothing from individuals, raising alarm over potential abuse, misogyny, and the exploitation of minors. In a statement on Musk's social media platform, X, Grok announced, "Image generation and editing are currently limited to paying subscribers. You can subscribe to unlock these features."
This change means free users can no longer create or modify images with Grok. To access these features, users must now become subscribers, providing credit card details and personal information.
Paywall Solution Draws Sharp Criticism
However, the decision to monetise the controversial feature has been met with sharp criticism from political leaders, who argue it does nothing to solve the underlying problem. The office of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer labelled the change as "insulting" to victims and ineffective.
"That simply turns an AI feature that allows the creation of unlawful images into a premium service," a Downing Street spokesperson said. "It's insulting the victims of misogyny and sexual violence."
The European Union echoed this sentiment. EU digital affairs spokesman Thomas Regnier stated that the bloc had noted the changes but stressed the fundamental issue remained. "This doesn't change our fundamental issue, paid subscription or non-paid subscription. We don't want to see such images. It's as simple as that," Regnier said, emphasising that platforms must ensure their systems are designed to prevent the generation of illegal content.
Intensifying Global Scrutiny and Legal Action
The controversy has triggered concrete regulatory actions. The European Commission has formally ordered X to preserve all internal documents and data related to Grok until the end of 2026 as part of its investigation. Nations including France, Malaysia, and India have also publicly criticised the platform over the spread of AI-generated nude imagery.
Elon Musk had previously warned that users creating illegal content with Grok would face consequences, equating it to uploading such material directly. X's official Safety account reiterated the platform's stance, stating it deals with illegal material by removing it, suspending accounts permanently, and cooperating with law enforcement.
As scrutiny over AI-generated abuse intensifies globally, Grok's shift to a subscription model for its image tools marks a contentious attempt at damage control, one that critics say fails to address the ethical and legal heart of the crisis.
