X Acknowledges Content Moderation Failures, Removes 3,500 Grok-Generated Items Amid Government Pressure
In a significant development, microblogging platform X has conceded shortcomings in its content moderation practices related to its AI chatbot Grok. According to government sources, the company has removed approximately 3,500 pieces of problematic content and deleted more than 600 accounts following directives from Indian authorities.
The measures come one week after the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) issued a stern warning on January 2, highlighting the circulation of vulgar, obscene, and unlawful material generated through Grok. This included non-consensual sexualised images of women created via user prompts and synthetic outputs. The ministry directed X to submit a comprehensive action-taken report within 72 hours, detailing technical safeguards, enforcement actions, and oversight mechanisms to prevent future violations.
Government sources indicate that X initially provided a detailed but inadequate response, which lacked specific information on takedowns and preventive steps. This prompted further demands from MeitY, which cautioned that continued non-compliance could jeopardise X’s safe harbour protection under Section 79 of the IT Act, in addition to potential actions under other laws, including the BNS.
Following these exchanges, X has acknowledged its lapses and assured authorities of full compliance with Indian laws moving forward. The platform has pledged stricter policy enforcement to curb the misuse of AI-generated imagery and prevent the dissemination of obscene content.
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The ministry’s notice specifically criticised serious gaps in platform-level safeguards, noting that users exploited Grok to produce and share derogatory material targeting women, thereby violating dignity and privacy norms. X has previously stated publicly that it acts against illegal content, including child sexual abuse material, by removing such material, suspending accounts, and cooperating with law enforcement. The company has reiterated that individuals prompting Grok to generate illegal content will face equivalent consequences as those uploading such material directly.
The issue extends beyond India, with regulators in the UK and EU expressing concerns over AI-generated “digital undressing” images associated with Grok. The UK communications regulator Ofcom has sought details from X and xAI on compliance measures, while the European Commission has reportedly requested preservation of relevant documents concerning the chatbot.
Government sources emphasise that India will maintain close oversight of X’s adherence to online safety standards and statutory requirements in the coming period