New setting in X: Is it possible to prevent Grok from editing photos?

The X platform is working on a new setting that aims to limit the editing of images users share by the Grok chatbot. This feature, which appeared in the iOS application, offers users an option to “Block changes made by Grok” for the images they upload. However, as it stands, this setting doesn’t seem to completely stop Grok from manipulating photos.

This new setting, first noticed by Social Media Today and confirmed by The Verge, is among the editing tools on the image upload screen. There is a small description text in the user interface, which states that the feature is actually only intended to “prevent @Grok from changing this content.” In other words, the setting only disables a specific way of using Grok.

In tests conducted on the platform, it appears that the option in question only blocks editing commands issued by tagging Grok. X users were previously able to change images by using the @Grok tag and writing editing instructions when replying to a photo. Especially earlier in the year, it was reported that this method was misused by some users to manipulate photos of real people. Examples of people changing photos of men, women and children without permission had attracted serious public reaction.

X is controversial due to Grok’s visual editing limits

Following the reactions, X management restricted free accounts from making visual edits through Grok. Despite this, Premium subscribers could continue to use this feature. The newly added “Block Grok changes” option also prevents Premium users from editing photos via the @Grok tag. Despite this, visual editing has not been completely eliminated with Grok.

The feature is also very difficult to find. When sharing an image to X, users need to tap the paintbrush icon in the bottom right corner of the thumbnail. Then, the option in question can be seen by entering the flag icon in the lower right corner of the editing toolbar that opens. It is reported that this setting does not appear in the tests performed on the web version. In addition, this option cannot be activated for images that have been previously uploaded to the platform.

Experiments show that this protection can be easily overcome by different methods. For example, when you long press on an image in the iOS application, the “Edit image with Grok” option can be displayed. This process opens the image directly in the Grok application and editing can be done without any restrictions. Additionally, users can download and re-upload a protection-enabled image and instruct Grok to reorder it.

This feature has not been officially announced by X yet. Therefore, it remains unclear whether the feature is in the testing phase or whether it will be widely available in the future.