X admits mistake on Grok AI content, vows to comply with Indian laws

Microblogging site X has accepted its mistake and assured it will comply with Indian laws after the IT Ministry warned the Elon Musk-led social media platform on the Grok AI obscene content issue, government sources said on Sunday. This follows a move by X in January 2026 to restrict Grok’s image generation and editing features for non-paying users, reserving the capability mainly for paying subscribers, after backlash over the tool creating realistic nude images of real people.

Around 3,500 pieces of content have been blocked, and over 600 accounts deleted, according to sources. The controversy centres on 'Grok Imagine', a tool capable of rapid image generation. X has accepted its mistake, and said it will comply with Indian laws, sources said, adding that in future, the platform will not allow obscene imagery.

Regulators in other jurisdictions are also applying pressure; in January 2026, the European Commission ordered X to preserve Grok-related documents under the Digital Services Act, while UK ministers have considered using the Online Safety Act to hold platforms to account.

Earlier, the government had asked X for details, including specific action taken on obscene content linked to Grok AI, and measures to prevent a repeat in future, after it found the response submitted by the platform to be inadequate. The IT Ministry had originally issued a notice to an India-based official of X on January 2, 2026, seeking a report on remedial action within 72 hours, citing a failure in platform-level safeguards.

In its response after the first notice was issued to it, X had outlined the strict content takedown policies it abides by when it comes to misleading posts and those related to non-consensual sexualised images. However, X was given extended time until early January 2026 to submit a more comprehensive action taken report after the initial reply was deemed insufficient.

While the reply was long and detailed, it had "missed" key information, including takedown details and specific action that was taken on the Grok AI obscene content issue, and measures to prevent it in future. The government's firm stance is backed by legal precedents, including a Karnataka High Court judgment in 2025 that rejected X's challenge against the Sahyog portal, affirming the country’s ability to use administrative channels for urgent enforcement under the IT Rules.

On January 2, the IT Ministry issued a stern warning to X over indecent and sexually-explicit content being generated through the misuse of AI-based services like 'Grok' and other tools. The scrutiny comes amidst broader policy work, including a late 2025 working paper by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade considering mandatory licensing for training AI systems on copyrighted content.

X's 'Safety' handle, last Sunday, said it takes action against illegal content on its platform, including Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), by removing it, permanently suspending accounts, and working with local governments and law enforcement as necessary.

"Anyone using or prompting Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content," X had said, echoing the stance taken by Musk on illegal content. Musk has maintained that AI tools are neutral, arguing that users who deliberately produce illegal material should face consequences.

(With inputs from PTI)