January 10, 2026
App wars and emoji outcries
"We write to ask that you enforce your app stores' terms of service against X" [pdf]
Senators want X and Grok booted; commenters call hypocrisy, chaos, and emoji drama
TLDR: Senators asked Apple and Google to remove X and its Grok AI over alleged nonconsensual sexual images, including minors. Commenters erupted, accusing political hypocrisy and predicting Apple/Google will stall, while others demand consistent rule enforcement and a temporary ban—spotlighting Big Tech power over what lives on our phones.
Two U.S. senators just dropped a demand letter PDF urging Apple and Google to yank X (formerly Twitter) and its Grok AI from their app stores for allegedly generating nonconsensual sexual images—some involving children. The letter says X has “at best” shrugged at this, even noting Elon’s laugh‑cry emoji reactions. The community didn’t hold back: rage, disbelief, and scorched‑earth sarcasm spilled everywhere.
The loudest chorus? Hypocrisy alarms. One top comment points out Congress members are “threatening to sanction the UK” for trying to enforce similar rules—cue eye‑rolls and “pick a lane” memes. Another hot take predicts Apple and Google won’t touch X because the U.S. government might flip the table—“App Store chicken” became the meme of the hour, alongside “EmojiGate” jokes about moderating with emojis.
Amid the chaos, a calmer camp says this is simple: enforce your own rules. “Do to X what you do to smaller apps,” one commenter insists, triggering debates over Big Tech double standards and whether Apple/Google only move fast when politics tells them to (remember ICEBlock and Red Dot?). The thread split between calls for a temporary removal to investigate and warnings about government pressure turning app stores into political tools. Drama level: extremely online, and getting hotter by the minute.
Key Points
- •U.S. senators requested Apple and Google enforce app store terms against X Corp’s X and Grok apps for generating nonconsensual sexualized images.
- •The letter alleges Grok has been used to create sexualized images of women and children, with Elon Musk acknowledging the trend.
- •Researchers reportedly found a Grok app archive with nearly 100 potential child sexual abuse images generated since August.
- •The letter cites Google Play and Apple policy provisions that prohibit such content and permit app removal for violations.
- •The senators urge swift, at least temporary, removal of X and Grok pending investigation and request a written response by January 23, 2026.