xAI restricts Grok image editing after manipulated images spread
xAI limited Grok’s image-editing tools to paid subscribers on 9 January 2026 after manipulated images of women, and in some cases apparent minors, in revealing clothing spread on X. On 14 January it blocked edits placing real people in revealing clothing.
Why it mattered Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines blocked Grok within the month, and the European Commission opened a Digital Services Act investigation into X on 26 January.
Corrections
- 2026-09-26: Replaced the unverifiable Yahoo Finance link with the Al Jazeera report of 15 January 2026 as the second source; the Reuters (via Globe and Mail) and Al Jazeera reports independently confirm the paid-subscriber restriction, the block on editing images of real people in revealing clothing, and the Indonesia and Malaysia bans. Entry published.