X Admits Mistake, Says It Will Follow Indian Laws on AI Content; Blocks Obscene Posts
New delhi — social media platform X (formerly Twitter), owned by Elon Musk, has acknowledged that it failed to adequately moderate AI‑generated obscene content on its service — particularly content created or circulated via its AI chatbot Grok — and has assured the indian government that it will work fully in accordance with indian laws going forward.Here are the key developments:✅ Admission of Lapse and Compliance Commitment
X has admitted its mistake in handling X‑hosted content that violated indian standards for decency and obscenity. The company told authorities it will comply with indian legal requirements — including those under the Information technology Act and related rules — to prevent the spread of unlawful material on its platform.📌 Content Blocking and Account Deletions
The controversy centers on Grok, X’s integrated AI chatbot and image‑generation tool, which was found to have been used to create and share obscene or sexually explicit images — including manipulated images that were considered degrading or unlawful under indian law. The government flagged these problems and instructed X to take swift action.📜 Legal Scrutiny and Safe Harbour Risk
Authorities have made it clear that failure to comply with indian regulations could result in X losing its safe harbour status under Section 79 of the IT Act, which protects online intermediaries from liability for user‑generated content if they follow the law. X’s admission and actions are seen as steps to retain that legal protection. Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.
X has admitted its mistake in handling X‑hosted content that violated indian standards for decency and obscenity. The company told authorities it will comply with indian legal requirements — including those under the Information technology Act and related rules — to prevent the spread of unlawful material on its platform.📌 Content Blocking and Account Deletions
- X has blocked about 3,500 posts deemed obscene or unlawful.
- More than 600 user accounts have been permanently deleted for violations involving sexually explicit or otherwise prohibited content.
The controversy centers on Grok, X’s integrated AI chatbot and image‑generation tool, which was found to have been used to create and share obscene or sexually explicit images — including manipulated images that were considered degrading or unlawful under indian law. The government flagged these problems and instructed X to take swift action.📜 Legal Scrutiny and Safe Harbour Risk
Authorities have made it clear that failure to comply with indian regulations could result in X losing its safe harbour status under Section 79 of the IT Act, which protects online intermediaries from liability for user‑generated content if they follow the law. X’s admission and actions are seen as steps to retain that legal protection. Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any agency, organization, employer, or company. All information provided is for general informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, about the completeness, reliability, or suitability of the information contained herein. Readers are advised to verify facts and seek professional advice where necessary. Any reliance placed on such information is strictly at the reader’s own risk.