Elon Musk suggests sharing credit card photos with Grok

Elon Musk advised users to send a photo of their credit card to Grok, an AI developed by his company, to allow the AI to make purchases on their behalf. This recommendation was made despite Grok's documentation explicitly warning users to keep sensitive information private.

Musk's advice appears in a broader context

Between two posts on X, where Musk expressed views on the need for a leadership change in Ukraine, he also provided advice on shopping. He suggested inserting a credit card photo into a conversation with Grok Bot to enable the AI to find and purchase products.

Grok’s purchasing function has been available for weeks

The purchasing function has actually existed for several weeks. As early as August 28, the update log described a system where Grok displays the amount to be spent, asks the user to accept or reject it, and then proceeds through the payment service Link.

Musk’s example lacks full details

On October 10, 2026, Musk gave a personal example, claiming he asked Grok Bot to search for the most fun Lego Star Wars sets for young children and then place the order. However, his message does not detail all the steps of the purchase, including any possible confirmations required before payment.

Grok’s documentation is more cautious

Grok’s FAQ asks users not to share personal or sensitive information in their questions. It also recommends submitting purchases for approval and indicates that the agent must hand over control to the user for payment confirmations.

Security concerns remain unclear

The service conditions specify that files and identifiers can be stored in Grok’s cloud environment. They also warn that approval mechanisms cannot prevent all undesirable actions, but they do not clarify what treatment would be reserved for a credit card photo.