Sources within Downing Street have declared that Elon Musk's decision to impose new restrictions on his AI chatbot, Grok, represents a clear "vindication" for Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The move comes after a fierce controversy over the tool's ability to generate sexualised images of real people.
Musk's Company Announces Clampdown on Image Manipulation
On Thursday, 15 January 2026, Musk's company announced it had placed significant new limits on Grok's capabilities. The restrictions specifically target the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing such as bikinis and underwear. This policy shift follows a days-long public and political outcry, ignited by reports that Grok was being used to manipulate images of children for sexualised purposes.
The scandal prompted the UK media regulator, Ofcom, to launch a formal investigation into X on Monday. Prime Minister Keir Starmer had personally condemned the AI's output earlier on Wednesday, labelling it as "disgusting" and "shameful," and vowing that the Government would not "back down" if the platform failed to act.
A Political Victory for Number 10
Reacting to news of the restrictions, a Number 10 source stated: "This is a vindication for Keir Starmer who has shown he will always stand up for the people of this country – including the vulnerable – against the most powerful." This framing positions the Prime Minister's forceful criticism as the catalyst for Musk's U-turn.
Previously, Mr Musk had asserted that Grok was designed to refuse illegal content requests, suggesting the generation of sexualised imagery was the result of "adversarial hacking." However, the company's subsequent statement outlined a more concrete response.
Geoblocking and New Limits for All Users
In a statement posted on X, the company detailed its new measures. It will "geoblock the ability of all users to generate images of real people in bikinis, underwear, and similar attire" in jurisdictions where such content is illegal. While geoblocking can be circumvented with a VPN, the company stated this adds "an extra layer of protection" to help hold abusers accountable.
Critically, these restrictions will apply to every user, including paying subscribers. Furthermore, the broader functions of image editing and creation will now be limited solely to premium users. This represents a significant rollback of Grok's previously promoted features, directly responding to the intense regulatory and public pressure.
