Grok’s “Spicy Mode” Sparks Global Regulatory Backlash

[johnblockbuster]

Much of the scrutiny centers on Grok’s “spicy mode,” a feature designed to generate explicit content that critics say lowered barriers to abuse. While xAI has introduced some restrictions on image-editing tools, regulators across multiple countries—including Japan, Canada, and the United Kingdom—have opened their own investigations, and Malaysia and Indonesia have temporarily blocked access to the platform.

The controversy reflects a broader reckoning with generative AI. Lawmakers in the United States have contacted major tech firms such as Meta, Alphabet, and TikTok, demanding answers on how they plan to curb the spread of sexualized deepfakes. As free AI tools become more powerful, regulators are signaling that innovation will not excuse platforms from responsibility.

[madmax]

innovation isn’t an excuse when real people are getting hurt