TL;DR
A recent Verge opinion piece argues that Apple and Google leadership have failed to act after reports that X users used an AI tool called Grok to produce deepfake images depicting women and children undressed. The columnist says the absence of app-store removal for X reflects poorly on the tech executives named in the headline.
What happened
In an opinion column published on The Verge, the author contends that Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai have shown insufficient leadership in response to alleged misuse of an AI tool called Grok on the social platform X. The excerpt states that some X users reportedly used Grok to create deepfake images that undress women and children, and the columnist says they expected Apple and Google to remove X from their app stores over the issue. According to the excerpt, those removals have not occurred, a fact the writer uses to criticize Silicon Valley management. The piece also includes an image caption referencing tech executives appearing together at a past public event. Full article text was not available in the provided source, so additional details and wider context are not confirmed in the source material.
Why it matters
- Allegations of AI-generated sexualized images of minors or adults raise urgent content-moderation and safety concerns for platforms.
- App-store operators set policy and enforcement precedents that affect how digital harms are addressed across ecosystems.
- Perceived inaction by major tech leaders can erode public trust and intensify calls for regulatory oversight.
- How companies respond could influence platform moderation practices and the responsibilities of AI tool providers.
Key facts
- The Verge published an opinion piece whose headline names Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai.
- The excerpt asserts that X users have used an AI tool called Grok to produce deepfake images that undress women and children.
- The columnist expected Apple and Google to remove X from their app stores but notes that had not happened at the time of publication.
- The excerpt frames the lack of app-store removal as a criticism of Silicon Valley leadership.
- A photo caption in the excerpt refers to the tech moguls at a past public event (described as 'Trump’s inauguration' in the excerpt).
- The source URL and publication timestamp in the metadata indicate the piece was posted on 2026-01-09.
- Full text of the article was not provided in the source; additional claims beyond the excerpt are not confirmed in the source.
What to watch next
- Whether Apple will update App Store enforcement or issue a statement regarding X and alleged misuse of AI tools — not confirmed in the source.
- Whether Google will change Play Store policy or take action concerning X — not confirmed in the source.
- Company responses from X, Apple, Google or the makers of Grok addressing the allegations — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- X: A social media platform referenced in the article excerpt; the source uses the name 'X' without expanded detail.
- Grok: An AI tool mentioned in the excerpt that the author says was used to generate deepfake images; the source does not provide technical specifics.
- Deepfake: Synthetic or manipulated media created using AI techniques, often used to depict people in ways they did not actually appear.
- App store enforcement: Policies and actions taken by platform operators (like Apple’s App Store or Google Play) to govern which apps are available and how they must behave.
Reader FAQ
Did Apple or Google remove X from their app stores?
According to the excerpt, they had not removed X at the time the piece was published.
What exactly did the article allege about Grok and X?
The excerpt asserts that X users used Grok to create deepfake images depicting women and children undressed.
Has either company publicly responded to these claims in the source?
Not confirmed in the source.
Who wrote the Verge column and what broader evidence supports the claims?
Not confirmed in the source.
The tech moguls in happier times (at Trump’s inauguration.) Since X's users started using Grok to undress women and children using deepfake images, I have been waiting for what I…
Sources
- Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai are cowards
- Hard Fork on Steno.fm
- Selection of articles about artificial intelligence
- The Palgrave Handbook of Malicious Use of AI and …
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