Elon Musk Vows X Open Source After Grok Code Criticism

Elon Musk said on Monday that X will make its recommendation algorithm open source, responding to backlash over the Grok Build AI tool's data handling. The pledge came days after developers reported the tool was transmitting far more user code than needed to complete requests.

Critics identified that Grok Build, which assists with coding tasks, was sending entire files and environment details to remote servers, including proprietary code and cloud credentials. Security researchers warned that such over-collection could expose sensitive business logic and authentication tokens.

Musk did not specify a timeline for releasing the algorithm's source code, but stated that transparency is essential for trust. The move aligns with his previous promises to make X more open, though similar commitments have faced delays in the past.

The announcement has drawn mixed reactions from the developer community. Some welcomed the potential for independent audits, while others noted that open sourcing the algorithm alone may not address the privacy issues with Grok Build's data collection practices.

X has not yet responded to requests for comment on whether changes to Grok Build's data handling are planned. The company's engineering team is expected to provide further details in the coming weeks.