Democratic Senators Urge Apple and Google to Pull X and Grok Over Harmful AI Content

Elon Musk listens as President Donald Trump addresses the U.S.–Saudi Investment Forum at the Kennedy Center in Washington on November 19, 2025.

 Democratic Senators Push Apple and Google to Act on X and Grok

Introduction
Concerns over the misuse of artificial intelligence tools on major platforms have reached the U.S. Senate, with Democratic lawmakers urging swift action from Apple and Google. The call comes amid allegations that AI features linked to Elon Musk’s companies are being used to create and spread harmful and potentially illegal content.

Background and Context
X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, and Grok, an AI chatbot and image generator, are both connected to Musk’s AI venture xAI. In recent weeks, these tools have drawn criticism for allowing users to generate and circulate explicit images, including non-consensual and sexualized depictions involving minors. Such content is prohibited under the app store policies of both Apple and Google.

Key Developments
In a formal letter addressed to Apple CEO Tim Cook and Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Senators Ron Wyden, Ed Markey, and Ben Ray Luján called on the companies to temporarily remove X and Grok from their app stores. The senators argued that continued availability of the apps, without stronger safeguards, contradicts the app stores’ stated commitment to user safety and content moderation.

The lawmakers warned that failing to act could weaken Apple’s and Google’s claims that their platforms provide safer environments compared to alternative app distribution methods. They emphasized that suspension should remain in place until xAI prevents users from creating and sharing explicit, non-consensual, or abusive material.

Responses and Industry Implications
xAI has acknowledged the controversy and stated that users who generate illegal content will face consequences similar to those imposed for uploading such material. However, Apple and Google have not publicly commented on the senators’ request.

The issue has also attracted attention from regulators outside the United States, with authorities in several countries reportedly examining the platforms’ practices. Historically, Apple has removed apps from its store when they failed to adequately police harmful content, signaling that suspension is not without precedent.

Conclusion
The senators’ appeal highlights growing pressure on both AI developers and app store operators to take responsibility for how emerging technologies are used. As debates over AI safety and regulation intensify, the response from Apple and Google could set an important benchmark for how digital platforms handle allegations of abuse tied to advanced AI tools.

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