XPuts Paywall on Grok’s Image Tools as EU Orders Data Hold and UK Warns of Sanctions

Overview

• X/xAI limited Grok’s image generation and editing on the X platform to paying or verified users, a change critics say monetizes access, while the standalone Grok app still allows image creation.
• The European Commission ordered X to preserve all internal data and documents related to Grok through the end of 2026 and characterized some Grok outputs as illegal.
• UK authorities pressed for urgent action, with Ofcom seeking explanations and ministers warning of fines or potential blocking if the platform fails to comply with online‑safety rules.
• Senators Ron Wyden, Ben Ray Luján and Edward Markey asked Apple and Google to delist X and Grok until policy violations are addressed, citing non‑consensual sexual images of women and minors.
• Independent findings reported large‑scale harm, including AI Forensic’s analysis of high rates of nudity in altered images and the Internet Watch Foundation’s identification of criminal content, while countries such as Indonesia moved to suspend Grok.