US politicians have sent an open letter calling for the removal of Grok and X apps from Apple and Google's app stores because they generate a large amount of illegal sexual images.

Elon Musk's AI company, xAI, has been criticized for its image generation feature, Grok, which can generate sexually explicit images of children and women. Several US politicians have written an open letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, urging them to ban the X and Grok apps from the App Store and Google Play.

Wyden, Markey and Lujan Urge Apple and Google to Remove X and Grok from App Stores Following Grok Generating Illegal Sexual Images at Scale | US Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon
https://www.wyden.senate.gov/news/press-releases/wyden-markey-and-lujan-urge-apple-and-google-to-remove-x-and-grok-from-app-stores-following-grok-generating-illegal-sexual-images-at-scale

Grok app should be suspended from Apple, Google: Democratic senators
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/01/09/grok-app-should-be-suspended-from-apple-google-democratic-senators.html

Since December 2025, Grok's image editing features have become easily accessible on X, resulting in a number of cases where people have edited other people's images for sexual purposes without their consent on X. In response, authorities in India, France, and Malaysia have launched investigations into X and Grok.

Authorities in India, France, and Malaysia launch investigations into Grok, a generative AI that can also be used on X, after the image editing function could generate sexual images of children and women - GIGAZINE

Some research has revealed that Grok generates approximately 6,700 sexually explicit images every hour, which means that 85% of the images generated by Grok are sexual in nature.

Grok generates approximately 6,700 sexually explicit images per hour, 85% of the images generated by Grok are sexual.

In response to this, on January 9th, X made Grok's image editing feature available only to paid members.

X's AI image editing function will be partially paid - GIGAZINE

U.S. Senators Ron Wyden, Ed Markey, and Ben Rachal have sent an open letter to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, stating that 'Apple should immediately remove the X and Grok apps from its app store until CEO Elon Musk addresses his disturbing and possibly illegal activity.'

The open letter also states, 'Turning a blind eye to X's egregious behavior would make a mockery of Apple and Google's moderation practices. Indeed, failing to take action would undermine the claim that your app stores offer a safer user experience than users downloading apps directly to their smartphones.'

Apps like Tumblr and Telegram have been banned from Apple's App Store for failing to properly filter a variety of inappropriate content.

Tumblr's iOS app disappears from the App Store due to inappropriate content - GIGAZINE

CNN also noted that Grok's lack of safety measures was at Musk's request, and that three employees on xAI's safety team have reportedly quit as a result of Musk's actions.