Centre seeks detailed audit of X’s Grok chatbot over alleged obscene images
New Delhi: The Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has asked social media platform X to carry out an extensive technical and governance review of its artificial intelligence chatbot Grok, following concerns that the tool is being misused to generate and circulate obscene and derogatory images of women.
In a letter issued on Friday to X’s Chief Compliance Officer in India, the Ministry said it had come across instances where users allegedly exploited Grok through fake accounts to create or share altered images and videos of women in a vulgar manner. The government directed the platform to examine the functioning of the chatbot and the safeguards governing its use, and to take immediate corrective steps, as reported by The Hindu.
The issue was raised earlier in the day by Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP Priyanka Chaturvedi, who wrote to Information Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagging reports that the chatbot had responded to prompts seeking to undress or modify women’s photographs. Following this, the Ministry moved to formally seek an explanation and action from the platform.
The government's statement made it clear that compliance with the Information Technology Act and IT Rules, 2021, is required. It further stated that the legal protection provided to facilitators under Section 79 of the IT Act is only applicable if due diligence responsibilities are srictly followed. It further warned that the creation or distribution of such content could result in legal action under other applicable laws.
Ensuring that evidence is preserved, X has been instructed to remove or disable access to any content already generated or disseminated in violation of the law, without delay. The platform has been asked to submit an Action Taken Report by January 5, 2026, with details of the steps it has taken in response to the directions.
The Ministry warned that failure to comply would be viewed seriously, leading to legal action against the platform, its responsible officials and users involved in violations, under the IT Act, IT Rules, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and other relevant statutes.
Grok functions as a separate artificial intelligence entity under X’s holding structure but operates actively on the platform, interacting automatically with users. Elon Musk, who owns Grok, has previously described the chatbot as less restricted in its responses compared to other AI systems.
Noting that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology has recommended stricter laws to deal with obscene content online, Vaishnaw had earlier said, social media companies must take responsibility for the content circulating on their platforms.
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US–Iran first round direct talks conclude in Islamabad: Report
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The first round of direct talks between the United States and Iran, held in Islamabad, has concluded, Al Jazeera reported citing sources close to the development.
According to the report, following the discussions, delegations from both sides agreed to exchange written documents, a move aimed at ensuring clarity and consensus on the understandings reached during the meeting.
Both the Iranian and US delegations arrived in Islamabad on Saturday, April 11, amid high security for the peace talks.
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