The Indian government has issued a stern warning to social media platform X, formerly Twitter, regarding alleged obscene content generated by its artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok. Official sources confirm that the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is now examining a formal response submitted by the company.
Government's Clear Warning on Due Diligence
According to sources familiar with the matter, the government's communication to X was unambiguous. Authorities warned that any failure to observe due diligence obligations would result in the loss of the exemption from liability under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act. This legal shield is crucial for intermediaries, protecting them from being held directly liable for user-generated content, provided they follow certain rules.
The notice underscores the government's growing scrutiny of AI platforms and their potential to disseminate harmful material. The focus on Grok, an AI product integrated into X's premium subscription service, highlights concerns about the real-world impact of generative AI tools.
Timeline and Official Scrutiny
The development came to light on 07 January 2026, with the government's position being reported. X has since submitted its official response to the IT Ministry's concerns, which is currently under examination. The core issue revolves around whether X, as the platform hosting the AI, exercised sufficient due diligence in preventing the generation or spread of content deemed obscene under Indian law.
This action is part of a broader regulatory environment where Indian authorities are actively enforcing compliance with IT rules, especially concerning content moderation and the responsibilities of digital platforms.
Potential Consequences for X
The stakes for X are significant. Losing the safe harbour protection of Section 79 would have serious legal and operational implications. The platform could then be held legally responsible for the content posted by its users and generated by its integrated AI systems, opening it up to potential lawsuits and criminal proceedings.
This case sets a potential precedent for how AI-powered features on social media and other digital platforms will be regulated in India. It signals that the government views the output of these AI systems as falling squarely within the platform's responsibility for content moderation.
The outcome of the IT Ministry's examination of X's response will be closely watched by the entire tech industry, as it will clarify the extent of liability for emerging and complex AI technologies operating within the Indian digital ecosystem.
