'Remove her clothes' global backlash grows over AI image tool edits

An ‘edit image’ feature on the Grok tool sparked rage online when people started abusing the tool to alter images of women by removing their clothing or placing them in revealing outfits.

This placed fear among tech campaigners about the spread of AI-powered “nudify” tools and jolted regulatory authorities, across several countries, into taking an action against them.

Authorities in France, India and Malaysia called for urgent remedial action, while the European Commission claimed that it was “very seriously looking” into the complaints. 

EU digital affairs spokesman Thomas Regnier condemned the platform’s so-called “spicy mode,” warning that explicit sexual content, including obscene images-generated from the tool resemble childlike images, was illegal and unacceptable in Europe.

In the UK, media regulator Ofcom said it had made urgent contact with X and xAI, seeking assurances they were operating within regulatory guidelines. Ofcom said it would decide whether a formal investigation is needed, or not, based on their response.

Azira Aziz, a Malaysian lawyer, described the misuse as “gender-based violence weaponising AI,” urging users to report violations.

Direct appeals were also made to Elon Musk to act against prompts sexualising children. Writer Ashley St. Clair said images of her as a child had been digitally altered, calling the situation alarming.

Meanwhile, xAI issued a brief automated response dismissing media reports, while Grok later acknowledged lapses in safeguards and said alterations are being made to the AI tool.