Grok obscene AI content: Govt gives X time till January 7 to submit report

New Delhi: The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has given X additional time till January 7 to submit a detailed Action Taken Report regarding removal of sexually-explicit content being generated through misuse of AI-based services like 'Grok' and other tools.

The Ministry decision to extend the time following request from the X, sources in the Ministry said.

On Sunday, X's 'Safety' handle said it will take 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," it had said, reiterating Musk's stance on illegal content.

Government sources said X had sought more time, and now it has been asked to submit its report by January 7.

After outrage over the misuse of its artificial intelligence tool Grok, the Centre on Friday issued a notice to X Corp (formerly Twitter), and asked it to remove and disable “obscene, nude, indecent and sexually explicit content" from its platform.

The ministry had also asked the US-based social media firm to submit a detailed action taken report (ATR) within 72 hours of the directive (effectively by January 5).

The IT Ministry, in its January 2 missive, said that Grok AI, developed by X and integrated on the platform, is being misused by users to create fake accounts to host, generate, publish or share obscene images or videos of women in a derogatory or vulgar manner.

The ministry said the regulatory provisions under the IT Act and rules were being flouted by the platform, particularly in relation to obscene, indecent, vulgar, pornographic, paedophilic, or otherwise unlawful or harmful content.

"The aforesaid acts and omissions are viewed with grave concern, as they have the effect of violating the dignity, privacy and safety of women and children, normalising sexual harassment and exploitation in digital spaces, and undermining the statutory due diligence framework applicable to intermediaries operating in India," the IT Ministry said.

Besides India, the platform has been facing criticism from authorities in the UK and Malaysia too.