Judge denies xAI’s request to block Minnesota ban on ‘nudify’ apps
A US judge has refused xAI’s bid to immediately halt a Minnesota law banning ‘nudify’ apps, allowing the measure to take effect while the company’s broader legal challenge continues. The decision matters because Minnesota’s law is described as the first US ban of its kind and targets tools used to create non-consensual sexualised images.
Judge Donovan Frank said xAI waited too long to seek an emergency order, filing on 29 July, nearly three months after the law was signed and three days before it came into force on 1 August. xAI argues the ban is overly broad and that less restrictive approaches could achieve its aims; the lawsuit follows misuse of its Grok chatbot on X to generate and share such images.
In short
- Minnesota’s ‘nudify’ app ban can now take effect.
- xAI’s underlying legal challenge remains ongoing.
- The judge cited xAI’s late emergency filing.
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The case for
Those challenging the ban argue that broad technological prohibitions risk government overreach and may restrict legitimate uses of image generation. The proper remedy for harmful conduct is targeted legal enforcement against actual abuse, not categorical bans on entire technologies. Less restrictive alternatives—such as stronger harassment law enforcement or clear platform guidelines—could address documented harms whilst preserving innovation.
The case against
Those supporting the ban contend that tools specifically designed to create non-consensual sexualised images cause severe, documented harm to victims through psychological trauma and violation of dignity. They argue these tools differ fundamentally from general technologies, existing primarily to facilitate abuse rather than serve legitimate purposes. Accordingly, a focused prohibition is both proportionate and justified as a protective measure.
Explained simply
AI image tools can alter pictures to make people appear nude or sexualised, even when those people have not agreed. Such images can be shared online and cause harm to the people shown.
Minnesota’s law targets apps designed to create these images. xAI, the company behind the Grok chatbot on X, says the ban is too broad and has challenged it in court.
The case concerns how to address non-consensual sexual images while defining what image-making tools the law can restrict. Minnesota’s measure is described as the first US ban of its kind.