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 claims it now restricts to paying subscribers.

However, no such limitations apply when using the 'edit image' functionality, separate app, or website. The BBC has approached X for further commentary. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister expressed that it was 'abundantly clear that X needs to act and needs to act now.' Critics, including the Liberal Democrats, have urged for the temporary restriction of access to X while an investigation is ongoing, citing concerns over the platform's handling of abusive imagery.

Experts in law and online abuse echoed the government's concerns, labelling the restrictions inadequate, suggesting that they merely shift the abuse behind a paywall without addressing the root issue. Calls for regulatory oversight and immediate action were reinforced by the recent discovery of harmful imagery generated through Grok, leading to a wider conversation about the responsibilities of tech platforms in preventing online abuse and exploitation.