New Delhi:
Grok AI for Obscene Content: In a decisive move to combat the rising tide of online explicit material, the Indian central government has issued a stern directive to social media giant X (formerly Twitter). The action comes amid growing concerns over viral videos, such as those involving Payal Gaming and the infamous ’19 minutes’ clip, which continue to spread unchecked on digital platforms despite previous regulatory efforts.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) dispatched a strongly worded letter to X on January 2, 2026, highlighting the platform’s AI tool Grok—developed by xAI—and related services being exploited to generate and disseminate pornographic, nude, indecent, and sexually explicit content. The ministry demanded immediate removal of such objectionable material and a comprehensive report on the steps taken to address the issue.
What the Government’s Letter Stated
In the communication, officials expressed deep apprehension about the misuse of AI-driven features on X, which are reportedly facilitating the creation and sharing of vulgar content. The directive mandates compliance within the timelines stipulated under the Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021, to prevent any tampering with evidence. X has been instructed to audit its systems and halt the generation or hosting of morphed images or videos that demean women or promote indecency.
Stern Warning Issued
The government has cautioned that failure to adhere to these orders could invite severe penalties under the IT Act, IT Rules, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), and other relevant criminal laws. Sources indicate the platform must submit an action-taken report within 72 hours, underscoring the urgency of the matter.
This development follows a pointed intervention by Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, who earlier on the same day urged the Centre in Parliament to enforce robust safety measures on X’s AI applications to protect women’s dignity online. Her call for action appears to have prompted the swift governmental response, reflecting broader anxieties about unregulated AI tools fueling digital harassment and exploitation.
As online platforms face increasing scrutiny, this notice signals the government’s zero-tolerance stance towards content that violates decency norms, potentially setting a precedent for tighter oversight of emerging technologies.
