X Admits Mistake, Removes Obscene Grok AI Content After India Warning

According to government sources on Sunday, January 11, 2026, microblogging site X has admitted its mistake and promised to follow Indian regulations after the IT Ministry notified the Elon Musk-led social media site about the Grok AI obscene content issue. Sources say that more than 600 accounts have been deactivated and almost 3,500 pieces of content have been blocked. Sources said that X has admitted its error and promised to follow Indian regulations. They also added that the platform would not allow indecent images in the future.

The authorities had asked X for more information, such as what steps were taken to deal with obscene content related to Grok AI and how to stop it from happening again in the future. This was because the platform's response was not good enough. X's answer to the first notification explained the severe rules it follows when it comes to removing deceptive posts and posts with sexualized photographs that were not consensual. The response was comprehensive and full of information, but it missed important aspects, such as how to take down the Grok AI obscene content and what steps were made to stop it from happening again.

Why This News Matters

This development is significant because it highlights how quickly AI tools can be misused and how such failures can cause real-world harm. Users reportedly exploited Grok on X to generate and circulate pornographic images without consent. Once Indian authorities intervened, the platform was forced to acknowledge the problem and remove thousands of posts.

This issue goes beyond technology, raising concerns about user safety, consent, and accountability. When platforms fail to impose strict controls on advanced AI systems, harmful content can spread rapidly, leaving victims with limited recourse. India’s response signals that governments are increasingly unwilling to let platforms self-regulate without oversight.

Indian IT Ministry Warns X

The Indian IT Ministry issued a strong warning to X on January 2 regarding inappropriate and pornographic content generated using AI-based services such as Grok. X’s Safety handle stated on January 4, 2026, that it removes illegal content, including Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), permanently suspends offending accounts, and cooperates with local governments and law enforcement.

X added that anyone using or prompting Grok to generate illegal content would face the same consequences as users who upload illegal material. This position aligned with earlier statements from Elon Musk regarding illicit content. Following widespread backlash, Musk’s AI company xAI restricted Grok’s image-generation capabilities on X after users used the tool to create and share sexualized images, often without consent.

What Has Grok Changed?

On Friday, Grok informed X users that only paid subscribers could access image creation and editing features. This change appeared to stop Grok from automatically generating and posting such images in response to posts or comments. However, users could still use Grok through its direct chatbot interface on X to generate sexualized images and manually upload them.

The standalone Grok app, separate from X, continued to allow image generation without a paid subscription. When Reuters sought comment from xAI, it received an automated response stating, “Legacy Media Lies.” X did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A Reuters reporter later tested the restriction by asking Grok to alter an image, and the bot declined, citing the paid subscription requirement.

The European Commission stated that these restrictions did not address its concerns. A spokesperson said that limiting image generation to paid subscribers did not resolve the fundamental issue, emphasizing that such images should not exist on the platform at all. Other governments and regulators have also raised objections, with some launching investigations. Germany’s media minister, Wolfram Weimer, described the surge of semi-nude images as the “industrialization of sexual harassment.”

Shopify CEO Slams Talk of X Ban as “Great Honeypot”

Shopify CEO Tobi Lutke criticized reports suggesting that the UK, Canada, and Australia were considering banning X and Grok, calling the idea a “great honeypot.” In a post on X dated January 11, 2026, Lutke said officials proposing such bans were unfit for public service and should resign.

Canadian Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon clarified that Canada was not considering a ban on X. Lutke echoed this statement, questioning reports about the UK and Australia. Epic Games CEO Tim Sweeney also praised Canada’s stance, stating that free societies should not tolerate political leaders blocking platforms over free speech concerns.

Elon Musk’s X and Grok have faced mounting global scrutiny for generating explicit images, often involving women and children, without consent. Indonesia has temporarily blocked the AI bot, and Malaysia has restricted access. Reports suggest the UK may consider similar action. In the United States, three senators have urged Apple and Google to remove X and Grok from their app stores, increasing pressure on the platform to address safety and regulatory compliance.