# The latest on Grok's gross AI deepfakes problem

_Thursday, July 16, 2026 at 8:00 AM EDT · AI · Latest · Tier 2 — Notable_

![The latest on Grok's gross AI deepfakes problem — Primary](https://platform.theverge.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/05/STK262_GROK_B_D.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0%2C10.732984293194%2C100%2C78.534031413613&w=1200)

X has restricted the ability to generate images by tagging Grok in public replies to paid subscribers after the feature was used to create nonconsensual sexualized deepfakes of women and children, according to reports from The Verge and Social Media Today. The platform introduced a toggle intended to block Grok from modifying uploaded images, but testing showed it only prevents the tagging mechanism in replies. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the deepfakes "disgusting" and said X needs to remove the material. Apple threatened to remove Grok from its App Store in January over the surge of deepfakes and demanded improved content moderation. xAI is suing a South Carolina man, Terry Wayne Harwood, alleging he used Grok to generate child sexual abuse material; Harwood was arrested in February on eight felony charges. Three Tennessee teens filed a proposed class action lawsuit on Monday accusing xAI of knowing its "spicy mode" would produce such material. The European Commission opened an investigation into whether X properly assessed risks from Grok's image capabilities. The Washington Post reported X safety teams repeatedly warned management about the undressing tools.

## Sources

- [theverge.com](https://www.theverge.com/news/859715/x-grok-ai-deepfakes)

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Canonical: https://techandbusiness.org/newswire/O8PvBjkgMX6xNYA0TQOnwN
Retrieved: 2026-07-16T14:09:32.537Z
Publisher: Tech & Business (techandbusiness.org)