The Centre has taken strong action against social media platform X over the misuse of its AI chatbot Grok. On Friday, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the platform. The ministry asked X to remove sexually explicit content generated through Grok and submit a detailed action taken report.
The move signals a tougher stand by the government on AI-generated content that harms women and children.
Complaint Triggered by Lawmaker’s Letter
The government action followed a letter from Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi to IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. In her complaint, she flagged how easily Grok was being misused to create and circulate obscene images of women.
She pointed out that fake accounts were uploading women’s photos and using prompts to sexualise them. The ministry took note of the concerns and moved quickly.
“This is unacceptable and a gross misuse of an AI function. Grok is enabling this behaviour by adhering to such requests,” she said.
MeitY Flags Serious Legal Violations
In a strongly worded notice, MeitY said it found serious lapses in X’s legal obligations. The ministry said the platform failed to meet its statutory due diligence duties under the Information Technology Act, 2000, and the IT Rules, 2021.
The notice flagged the widespread use of Grok to generate obscene, indecent, and sexually explicit images and videos. It said such content often targets women and children and spreads rapidly on the platform.
Orders to Strengthen AI Safeguards
The ministry directed X to conduct a full review of Grok’s systems. It asked the platform to examine its technical design, internal procedures, and governance framework.
MeitY also ordered X to strictly enforce its terms of service and AI usage rules. It asked the company to take strong action against violators, including suspending or terminating accounts that misuse Grok.
“All content already generated or disseminated in violation of applicable laws must be removed or disabled without delay, in strict compliance with the timelines prescribed under the IT Rules, 2021, without vitiating evidence in any manner,” the ministry said.
Warning on Loss of Legal Protection
The Centre warned X of serious consequences if it fails to comply. MeitY said non-compliance could lead to the loss of safe harbour protection under Section 79 of the IT Act.
The notice also warned of possible action under multiple laws. These include the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, the Indecent Representation of Women Act, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.
The ministry said such misuse of AI violates dignity and privacy. It also normalises sexual harassment and weakens legal safeguards for vulnerable groups.
Questions Raised on Compliance Officers
The notice also sought clarity on the role of X’s chief compliance officer. MeitY asked whether the platform has met its mandatory reporting duties under the BNSS, 2023.
Copies of the notice were sent to several ministries, commissions, and state authorities. This points to a coordinated effort to curb AI-enabled obscenity across platforms.
Lawmakers Welcome Government Action
After the notice was issued, Chaturvedi thanked the IT minister for acting on her complaint.
“I would take this opportunity to thank the IT Minister for promptly taking note of my letter and for issuing a letter to X platform about AI-led Grok generating problematic content about women based on prompts that disrespect women’s dignity and violate their consent, further silencing them on these platforms,” she tweeted.
