Government Warns X Over AI Tool Grok, Orders Immediate Action Against Obscene Content

Delhi: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a stern warning to X (formerly Twitter) for failing to meet mandatory compliance under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and IT Rules, 2021. The ministry has directed the social media platform to submit a detailed action report within 72 hours, outlining steps taken by its chief compliance officer, adherence to reporting norms under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and overall compliance measures.

The ministry expressed serious concern over reports that X’s AI chatbot Grok is being misused to generate sexually explicit and obscene content targeting women. According to officials, users have exploited the AI to create synthetic images and videos in a degrading manner, raising critical issues of privacy violation and online harassment. MeitY warned that such misuse threatens women’s dignity and undermines legal safeguards.

X has been instructed to immediately review Grok’s technical safeguards and governance mechanisms. The platform must ensure strict enforcement of user policies, including suspension or termination of accounts violating rules. All offensive content must be removed without disturbing evidence, the ministry stressed.

The notice further highlighted that failure to comply may lead to X losing its safe harbour protections under Section 79 of the IT Act. The ministry also warned that non-compliance could expose the platform to legal consequences under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Indecent Representation of Women Act, and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.