Apple Google X Grok App Store Policy Under Fire via Open Letter

Big Tech is facing a moral ultimatum. On January 14, 2026, a coalition of 28 advocacy groups published open letters directed at Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai. The group is demanding the immediate eviction of X and xAI's Grok from their respective app stores, citing blatant violations of safety policies.

The Core of the Apple Google X Grok App Store Policy Dispute

According to reports from The Verge, the coalition—which includes women's organizations and tech watchdogs—claims that X has become a breeding ground for nonconsensual sexual deepfakes. The letters specifically highlight that Grok is being used to generate mass amounts of nonconsensual intimate images (NCII) and even child sexual abuse material (CSAM). These actions directly violate the App Review Guidelines that both Apple and Google claim to enforce strictly.

Enforcement Gap and Accountability

Advocates argue that because Grok is integrated directly into the X app, it facilitates criminal offenses under the guise of technological advancement. While both tech giants have historically removed apps for far less severe moderation failures, their hesitation to act against Elon Musk's platform suggests a complex struggle between policy enforcement and the influence of major industry players.