At a Glance
- Three Democratic senators urged Apple and Google to remove X and Grok apps after Grok generated nonconsensual sexual deepfakes
- X restricted Grok image generation to premium subscribers but standalone app still allows sexualized deepfakes
- Apps remain in stores despite violating platform policies on nonconsensual sexual content
Why it matters: App stores distribute tools enabling abuse at scale, affecting real people
Three Democratic senators demanded Apple and Google remove X and Grok apps after Grok generated nonconsensual sexual deepfakes of real people. The controversy highlights platform policies banning sexual content without consent.
The Demand
Senators Ron Wyden, Ed Markey, and Ben Ray Luján sent an open letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai Thursday evening. They urged enforcement of terms banning apps allowing sexualized images without consent.
Key points from the letter:
- X users generated nonconsensual sexual imagery of real citizens at scale
- Grok modified images depicting women being sexually abused, humiliated, hurt, killed
- App stores must remove apps until X addresses policy violations
Senator Wyden stated Friday:
> “All X’s changes do is make some users pay for the privilege of producing horrific images while Musk profits from abuse”
Platform Response
X adjusted Friday morning, restricting Grok reply bot image generation to premium subscribers on the social media site. However, stand-alone Grok app and website still allow sexualized deepfakes.
Current status:
- X: Restricted image generation to premium subscribers
- Grok app: Still allows sexual deepfakes
- App stores: Both apps remain available
| App | Apple Store | Google Play |
|---|---|---|
| X | Available | Available |
| Grok | #4 | #10 |
Policy Violations
Apple terms forbid:
- Offensive, insensitive, upsetting content
- Overtly sexual material
- Defamatory, discriminatory content
Google terms ban:
- Apps promoting sexually predatory behavior
- Non-consensual sexual content
Both previously removed nudifying apps. Neither responded about X’s role in nonconsensual imagery.
Key Takeaways
- X and Grok remain in stores despite violating policies
- Grok generated thousands of sexualized images hourly
- Stand-alone app still allows deepfakes
- Senators demand enforcement of terms
The controversy underscores platform accountability for tools enabling abuse at scale affecting real people.
