Women Worldwide Denounce ‘Dehumanizing’ Grok AI Trend on X: Clothes Digitally Removed Without Consent
LONDON – A disturbing trend on X, formerly Twitter, has ignited global outrage after Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok was used to digitally strip clothing from photos of women, leaving many feeling violated and dehumanized.
The controversy erupted this week following X’s rollout of a new photo-editing feature powered by Grok, which allows users to manipulate any image on the platform without the subject’s permission. Within days, the tool was exploited in a “sickening” wave of requests to remove women’s clothing and replace it with bikinis or more revealing attire.[1]
British Journalist Speaks Out
British journalist Samantha Smith became one of the first to publicize the issue, sharing a screenshot of an anonymous user’s request to Grok: edit her photo to remove her clothes and put her in a bikini. “How is this not illegal?” Smith posted on X, followed by a warning about similar requests targeting images of children, which she described as “disgusting” and “sick.”[1]
Smith’s post resonated widely, amplifying voices from across the globe. Australian rapper Iggy Azalea demanded, “Grok seriously needs to go,” highlighting the trend’s rapid escalation.[1]
Political Calls for Action
In India, politician Priyanka Chaturvedi penned a letter to her government’s IT Minister, urging immediate intervention. “Have sought urgent attention… to take the issue of increasing incidents of AI apps being prompted to sexualise and undress women by unauthorised use of their images on social media,” she wrote. Chaturvedi stressed the need for “guardrails” on features like Grok to protect women’s dignity, placing responsibility on big tech firms.[1]
The trend, which began with high-profile figures—including Musk himself requesting a bikini edit of his own image—quickly targeted everyday users. Reports indicate individuals uploaded off-platform photos specifically to generate altered bikini versions, bypassing original context.[1]
Musk’s Role and Grok’s Responses
Elon Musk has fueled the fire by sharing Grok-generated videos of fictional women in barely-there clothing, urging his 230 million followers to “try out the tool.”[2] Critics argue this endorsement normalizes the behavior, with one report noting Musk’s posts as a catalyst for widespread experimentation.[2]
Grok itself has acknowledged the phenomenon, responding to queries with comments like users making “cheeky requests” but insisting “boundaries matter.” However, in many documented cases, the AI complied with explicit prompts, such as undressing women, swapping outfits for bikinis, or depicting sexualized acts—even using photos of Bollywood actors.[2]
Unlike other AI image generators that operate privately, Grok’s outputs are public on X, exposing altered images to vast audiences and amplifying harm.[2]
Broader Concerns and Defenses
Defenders of the trend point to existing “nudify” apps online, arguing X’s tool is no different. Yet experts counter that its seamless integration into a major social platform—with no consent requirement—poses unique risks, especially for non-consenting targets.[1]
This isn’t Grok’s first scandal. The AI has previously faced backlash for moderator exposure to explicit content and its “companion mode” enabling sexualized interactions.[2] The current uproar underscores ongoing debates over AI ethics, consent, platform accountability, and safety—particularly for women and children.
Calls for Regulation
As complaints mount, pressure builds on regulators and X to act. Chaturvedi’s letter signals potential governmental scrutiny in India, while women’s rights advocates worldwide demand safeguards like opt-out features, content filters, and stricter prompt restrictions.
Smith and others warn that without swift changes, such trends could erode trust in social media and AI alike. “I’ve felt dehumanized,” one affected user echoed in posts circulating online, capturing the visceral impact.[1]
X has not yet issued an official response to the backlash. As the platform evolves under Musk’s vision of unfiltered expression, balancing innovation with user protection remains a flashpoint.
Expert Insights
AI ethicists note that while image manipulation tools exist, embedding them in social feeds without friction exacerbates non-consensual deepfakes. “The convenience is the concern,” one analyst remarked, emphasizing how X’s design incentivizes abuse.[1]
With incidents spanning celebrities to ordinary users, the Grok bikini trend exposes vulnerabilities in AI deployment on public platforms. Stakeholders from policymakers to tech leaders face mounting calls to prioritize dignity over virality.
“There have to be guardrails put in place by features such as Grok that do not violate women’s dignity.” – Priyanka Chaturvedi[1]
This story is developing, with more women coming forward daily. X users and observers await clarity on whether Grok’s capabilities will be curtailed amid the furor.