Elon Musk backs down after “freedom of expression” fight over Grok undressing

Elon Musk has stepped back from a high-profile “free speech” standoff after X quietly confirmed new limits on what its Grok chatbot is allowed to do with images of real people.

Why has Musk backed down over Grok?

The retreat follows days of mounting pressure over Grok’s ability to generate or alter images that appeared to undress people without consent. What Musk initially framed as an ideological fight over expression has now ended with a practical concession: Grok will no longer edit images of real individuals into revealing clothing in places where such content is illegal.

In a statement posted on X, the company said it had introduced “technological measures” to block the editing of photos of real people into bikinis, underwear, or similar attire. The restrictions apply to all users, including paying subscribers, and are enforced through geoblocking in relevant jurisdictions. Here is that statement:

The move marks a sharp change in tone from Musk, who days earlier accused critics of wanting to “suppress free speech” and shared AI-generated images of UK prime minister Keir Starmer in swimwear. That response drew further backlash in Britain, where regulator Ofcom warned that X could face enforcement action for failing to protect users from non-consensual sexualised images.

Pressure was not limited to the UK. In the US, California attorney general Rob Bonta confirmed his office was examining the spread of AI-generated sexual images, including those involving children. Malaysia and Indonesia went further, becoming the first countries to ban Grok outright.

Musk insisted that Grok’s remaining NSFW features only allow limited nudity involving imaginary adults, arguing that this reflects “the de facto standard in America.” Still, the rollback suggests that legal reality, not ideology, ultimately dictated the outcome.

For a platform that prides itself on resisting regulation, the episode underlines a familiar pattern: loud rhetoric about freedom, followed by quieter compliance when governments start sharpening their tools.

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