Paying for Deepfakes? Musk Limits Grok AI Image Generation Restriction 2026
Elon Musk limits Grok AI's image generation to paid X subscribers after global backlash over deepfakes. Read about the EU and UK's regulatory response.
Is illegal content now a premium feature? Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, is facing a firestorm of criticism after restricting its image-generation tool to paid subscribers following a surge in non-consensual sexualized deepfakes.
Global Outcry Over Grok AI Image Generation Restriction
On January 9, 2026, X (formerly Twitter) announced that its image creation and editing features are now exclusive to paying members. The move comes as governments worldwide demand accountability for AI-generated imagery used to target women and children.
According to AFP, the UK government called the shift "insulting" to victims. A Downing Street spokesperson stated that turning an unlawful image tool into a premium service doesn't solve the fundamental safety issue. Meanwhile, the European Commission has ordered the platform to retain all internal data related to Grok until the end of 2026.
Regulatory Pressure vs. User Accountability
Anyone using Grok to create illegal content will face the same consequences as uploading such material directly.
While Musk defends the platform by shifting responsibility to users, the EU and countries like India and France remain skeptical. They argue that the system's design itself should prevent the generation of such material, regardless of whether a user pays or not. Interestingly, the standalone Grok app reportedly still allows free image generation, highlighting a gap in the new policy.
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