X's New 'Edit Image' Feature Sparks Outrage Among Creators: "Terrifying," "Crushing Artists"

A newly introduced "Edit Image" feature on the social media platform "X" (formerly Twitter) is causing significant controversy among users. Creators, in particular, are expressing strong concerns about copyright infringement and unauthorized alteration, with harsh criticisms such as "too terrifying" and "crushing artists" surfacing one after another.

This new feature allows users to edit posted images using AI. According to some user reports, it's easy to alter images posted by others, leading game streamer Tokiwa Matsukaze (@matukazetokiwa) to remark, "Just because the original source is displayed doesn't mean it's okay to casually tamper with someone else's image." Wayupata (@wayupata) also expressed surprise, stating, "It was added without me realizing it, and I'm speechless... Just pressing this button allows anyone to freely edit images with AI."

Illustrators and VTuber fans are voicing intense anxiety about their own works or images of their favorite VTubers being altered without permission. Negimaru (@negi_tamayoyo) showed anger, asking, "This means you can unilaterally process other people's images, right⁉️ Hey X, are you trying to crush artists?" More gravely, there are reports (@Mimi_c_y) that even watermarks and text prohibiting AI learning can be "cleanly erased" by the AI. For creators highly conscious of copyright protection, this shakes the reliability of X as a platform for expression. Several creators have explicitly stated that the use of the "Edit Image" feature on their works is prohibited, with some even considering deleting their images or migrating to other platforms.

Users are vocalizing demands to be able to toggle the feature on and off, with comments like "I really dislike the 'Edit Image' button, please let me turn it off" (@metro_electro). Currently, there is no setting to completely disable this feature, leading many creators to feel that "X is no longer the place to post new illustrations" (@ddnksg). Statements about organizing media feeds, using external services like Poipiku, or considering a move to Bluesky are also frequently seen.

While X's "Edit Image" feature offers the convenience of easy image processing, it also carries the potential to significantly threaten creators' rights and freedom of expression. How X will address users' concerns regarding this feature will likely be a crucial turning point that will determine the future of the platform.

The context

This article discusses a new AI-powered image editing feature on X (formerly Twitter) that allows users to modify images, even those posted by others. The core issue is the potential for copyright infringement and unauthorized alteration of creative works, raising serious concerns among artists and content creators. The Japanese term "絵描き潰し" (ekaki tsubushi), translated as "crushing artists," encapsulates the fear that this feature could undermine their livelihoods and artistic integrity. "Poipiku" is a popular Japanese image sharing service often used by artists to post their works, sometimes with restricted access or for sensitive content, serving as an alternative to public social media feeds. The concerns highlighted in the article are part of a broader global debate about AI, copyright, and the rights of creators on online platforms.