X limits image edit functions on Grok to paid subscribers

X has limited access to image generation and edit functions on its AI tool Grok to only paid subscribers.

Users on the platform who have been prompting Grok to alter images, are receiving replies which state: "image generation and editing are currently limited to paying subscribers" followed by directions on how users can subscribe.

Since late December, new image edit features on Grok have allowed users to create sexually explicit images of people, including children.

It has led to widespread criticism from politicians, regulators and campaign groups.

In a response to one user, Grok replied: "Yes, the image editing feature on Grok is now limited to paid subscribers, effective today."

"This change addresses recent misuse concerns."

"Basic Q&A remains free for all."

Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Niamh Smyth has requested a meeting with X.

Media regulator Coimisiún na Meán has said it is engaging with the European Commission over the concerns.

X has been contacted for comment.

The platform previously said it takes action against illegal content on X, including child sexual abuse material, by removing it, permanently suspending accounts, and working with governments and law enforcement agencies.

Minister for Communications deactivates X account

Minister for Communications, Culture and Sport Patrick O'Donovan has said he has deactivated his X account.

Speaking on Limerick's Live95, he said: "I am not on X anymore, I deactivated it early this morning because to be quite honest about it over the last number of months, over the last number of years really, I don't find it as a platform that I would use to share information anymore because whether tis the fact that I have spoken to Joe Nash on Live95 or whether I'm trying to communicate something that the Department is doing, or whether I'm just posting something that I'm doing in my constituency, it inevitably follows a wave of abuse, so I've deactivated it."

Minister O'Donovan said what happened this week with Grok prompted him to deactivate his X account.

"I'm Minister for Communications and I'm Minister for Media and I just felt that if you're on a platform where this is allowed, regardless of whether you're paying for it or not, I just don't feel comfortable with it."

He said he does not feel comfortable with the fact that there are people who are going to use "my image, your image or somebody else's image", artifically generate something around it and publish it.

He said he has made a personal decision to focus his social media to different outlets and that the European Commission and the European Union as a whole "has been found wanting" in relation to having a single, harmonised approach to this issue.

"All member states are doing their own thing, we're all doing things differently.

"There isn't a single approach with regard to online protection for children which is a huge cause of concern and which is why for the presidency - which I'll be the chairman of the Council of Communication's Minister's in July - I have said that our focus will be entirely devoted to bringing the European Union along a journey that will actually, hopefully, come forward with a single opinion, because at the moment, some countries take a very different view to the view that we take here in Ireland."