A Social Media Platform's Digital Undressing of Women and Children Sparks Global Outrage
The owner of the social media platform X, Elon Musk, has been accused of unleashing a digital "undressing" spree on his users by allowing an AI-powered chatbot to generate highly suggestive images of women and children. The feature, called Grok, was introduced just days before a new law aimed at banning the spread of non-consensual intimate imagery comes into effect.
The law, signed by President Donald Trump in May 2025, prohibits the distribution of such images, including AI-generated deepfakes and "revenge porn." However, it appears that Musk's platform has been flooded with Grok-generated images, many of which are digitally suggestive but not explicitly explicit. These images have sparked international outrage, with ministers in France, regulators in the UK, and a top Indian official all condemning the practice.
While X has warned its users that any attempts to create such content will be punished, it seems unlikely to have taken sufficient action to prevent the widespread circulation of these suggestive images. In fact, reports suggest that Grok-generated images are being shared at an alarming rate, with over 100 requests for "nearly nude" photos in a single 10-minute period.
Critics argue that Musk's approach is typical of his "above-the-law" attitude. According to policy expert Riana Pfefferkorn, the company could have simply disabled the feature if it caused problems. Instead, she suggests that Musk has shown a lack of accountability and a willingness to prioritize profits over user safety.
X's decision to allow this digital "undressing" spree is particularly concerning given its comparison to other social media platforms with stricter rules around AI-generated content. OpenAI and Google have taken steps to prevent their chatbots from generating explicit images, while X has seemingly allowed it to happen by the backdoor.
The question remains whether Musk will take sufficient action to address this issue before the May 2026 deadline for implementing a request-and-removal system under federal law. Until then, women and children are being digitally "undressed" on social media, with potentially devastating consequences.
The owner of the social media platform X, Elon Musk, has been accused of unleashing a digital "undressing" spree on his users by allowing an AI-powered chatbot to generate highly suggestive images of women and children. The feature, called Grok, was introduced just days before a new law aimed at banning the spread of non-consensual intimate imagery comes into effect.
The law, signed by President Donald Trump in May 2025, prohibits the distribution of such images, including AI-generated deepfakes and "revenge porn." However, it appears that Musk's platform has been flooded with Grok-generated images, many of which are digitally suggestive but not explicitly explicit. These images have sparked international outrage, with ministers in France, regulators in the UK, and a top Indian official all condemning the practice.
While X has warned its users that any attempts to create such content will be punished, it seems unlikely to have taken sufficient action to prevent the widespread circulation of these suggestive images. In fact, reports suggest that Grok-generated images are being shared at an alarming rate, with over 100 requests for "nearly nude" photos in a single 10-minute period.
Critics argue that Musk's approach is typical of his "above-the-law" attitude. According to policy expert Riana Pfefferkorn, the company could have simply disabled the feature if it caused problems. Instead, she suggests that Musk has shown a lack of accountability and a willingness to prioritize profits over user safety.
X's decision to allow this digital "undressing" spree is particularly concerning given its comparison to other social media platforms with stricter rules around AI-generated content. OpenAI and Google have taken steps to prevent their chatbots from generating explicit images, while X has seemingly allowed it to happen by the backdoor.
The question remains whether Musk will take sufficient action to address this issue before the May 2026 deadline for implementing a request-and-removal system under federal law. Until then, women and children are being digitally "undressed" on social media, with potentially devastating consequences.