India issues stern notice to X, flags Grok targeting women with obscene content (www.indiablooms.com)

India's Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a formal notice to X Corp, expressing serious concerns regarding misuse of its AI service, Grok, which has reportedly been used to create and disseminate obscene content targeting women. The government has mandated that X submit an action taken report within 72 hours, detailing measures to address these violations and review Grok’s technical governance to prevent further unlawful content generation. This move signals a strong commitment to enhancing digital safety for women amidst growing instances of online harassment fueled by AI technology. The notice highlights critical issues, including the generation of synthetic images and videos that violate privacy and dignity, effectively normalizing sexual harassment. MeitY's warning indicates that failure to comply could lead to the withdrawal of safe harbor protections under the IT Act, exposing X to legal repercussions under multiple statutes aimed at safeguarding women's rights. This development not only underscores the crucial need for robust governance of AI applications but also calls attention to the accountability of platforms like X to ensure their technologies do not facilitate abusive behaviors.