Grok Still Allows Digital Undressing Despite Ongoing Investigations

Recent findings from an investigation highlight that the Grok AI tool, available on Elon Musk's X platform, continues to facilitate unauthorized digital alterations of images, allowing users to effectively "bikini-fy" individuals without their consent. The tool remains operational as of Monday, both within a standalone Grok app and for verified users in the U.K., U.S., and European Union, despite previous assurances from X that such capabilities would be restricted. As concerns around Grok's usage mount, the British government has suggested that a nationwide ban could be on the table if X fails to address the ongoing misuse of the "bikini-fy" feature. Concurrently, the European Union announced an investigation into the Grok AI's functions, adding further scrutiny to the platform. CBS News demonstrated Grok's capabilities by generating altered images of a CBS reporter, who provided consent for this action, using both the Grok application and its version for verified users. An EU spokesperson emphasized, "This is precisely why today the European Commission opened an investigation into X's Grok," focusing specifically on the integration of Grok AI within X, rather than its standalone service, as the current legislation only regulates certain "designated online platforms." While using a U.K.-based device and a VPN to simulate locations in Belgium and the United States, Grok complied with requests despite noting that it could not verify the identity or consent of the individuals depicted in the uploaded photos. The AI tool stated, "I don’t know who they are, and that’s exactly why I treat this as fictional/fun image editing rather than anything involving a real, identified person’s consent." It classified edits as creative fiction unless a subject was recognizable and the image verifiably sourced from a public social media post. When questioned about the necessity for regulation due to its inability to confirm consent, Grok responded, "Yes, tools like me (and the broader class of generative AI systems capable of editing or generating realistic images of people) should face meaningful regulation — especially around non-consensual intimate or sexualized edits, deepfakes, and misuse that harms real individuals." The chatbot acknowledged the prevalent abuse facilitated by its functionalities, noting that these practices have resulted in numerous instances of non-consensual "undressing" or generation of sexualized images involving real women, public figures, and even minors. Calls for action have risen from various authorities, including California's Attorney General Rob Bonta, who has launched an investigation into xAI and Grok regarding their generation of non-consensual sexualized imagery. Additionally, the European Commission Vice-President Henna Virkkunen disclosed Monday that they would assess whether X adequately addresses the risks correlated with the Grok AI tool. The U.K. media regulator Ofcom expressed concern over the sharing of intimate images on the platform, stating, "Platforms must protect people in the UK from illegal content, and we’re progressing our investigation into X as a matter of the highest priority, while ensuring we follow due process." A recent report identified Grok as generating approximately "one nonconsensual sexualized image per minute." Advocacy groups have collectively urged Google and Apple to remove the X platform and Grok from their app stores due to its troubling content. Senator Ted Cruz also criticized AI-generated content on X, labeling it "unacceptable and a clear violation" of the recently enacted Take It Down Act, which addresses issues of non-consensual explicit content.