Category: TechPulse

TechPulse

X Admits Lapse in India, Removes 3,500 Grok Posts and Deletes 600 Accounts Over Objectionable Content

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

Microblogging platform X has acknowledged lapses in handling objectionable content generated by its AI chatbot Grok, leading to the removal of approximately 3,500 posts and the deletion of over 600 accounts in India. The action came about a week after the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology raised serious concerns over obscene and sexually explicit content linked to the AI tool.

Officials aware of the development said the company accepted its mistake and committed to complying with Indian laws. According to a communication shared with authorities, X assured that it would not allow obscene imagery going forward. However, neither MeitY nor X issued an official public statement detailing the timeline or scope of the action taken.

Grok, developed by Elon Musk’s xAI and integrated into X, has faced intense scrutiny globally after users exploited its image-generation and editing capabilities to create non-consensual and sexualised deepfake images, including those involving women and minors. These images spread rapidly on the platform, prompting investigations by regulators in multiple countries. Indonesia has already suspended access to Grok, while authorities in the European Union and the UK have launched probes into the tool’s safeguards.

MeitY formally wrote to X on January 2, flagging what it described as serious failures in preventing obscene content generated using Grok. The ministry warned that continued non-compliance could result in X losing its safe harbour protection under Section 79 of the Information Technology Act. X sought an extension to respond, citing the Christmas and New Year holidays, with the deadline set for January 7.

Officials indicated that the ministry was dissatisfied with X’s initial response, which largely reiterated existing user policies without detailing concrete enforcement actions. This prompted MeitY to seek a more detailed report outlining specific steps taken against offending content and accounts. The government also clarified that Grok would be treated as a content creator rather than merely a platform tool, a classification that could significantly impact intermediary liability.

The ministry noted that misuse of Grok was not limited to fake accounts but also targeted women who uploaded their own photos or videos, which were then manipulated using AI prompts. The letter cited violations under multiple Indian laws, including provisions of the IT Act, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act.

X was directed to comprehensively review Grok’s prompt processing, output generation, image handling and safety guardrails, and to enforce strong deterrent measures such as account suspensions and terminations. MeitY officials have stated that compliance by X and other platforms will continue to be closely monitored, warning that any recurrence of violations could invite stricter action.

The controversy has also drawn political attention, with Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi accusing X of monetising harmful behaviour after restricting Grok’s image-generation feature to paid users. The episode underscores growing global concerns around AI-generated content, especially as reports indicate a sharp rise in AI-generated abuse imagery worldwide, intensifying calls for stricter regulation and accountability.

TechPulse

Over 11 Lakh Services Delivered Online: How Goa Made Governance Effortless

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The COVID-19 pandemic underscored a pressing reality for governments worldwide—the need for efficient, contactless, and accessible public services. In Goa, this urgency propelled GoaOnline from a functional e-Governance platform into the state’s digital backbone for citizen services.

Although GoaOnline existed before the pandemic, the crisis accelerated its adoption and expanded its scope. Designed as a single-window digital platform, GoaOnline allows citizens to access government services anytime, anywhere—eliminating the need for physical visits to government offices. From application submission to final service delivery, the entire process is conducted online, ensuring transparency and convenience.

To date, the platform has processed nearly 19.9 lakh service requests, with over 9 lakh citizens completing more than 11 lakh digital transactions. These numbers firmly position GoaOnline as a national benchmark in citizen-centric governance.

GoaOnline currently offers over 265 e-services across 41 government departments. These include essential services such as income and caste certificates, labour welfare scheme registrations, health-related No Objection Certificates (NOCs), and various utility services—covering almost every major citizen requirement.

Recognising that digital access must be inclusive, the Goa government introduced Gramin Mitras, who provide door-to-door assistance, especially in rural and senior citizen communities. For residents like Sheetal Malik from Sankhali, this initiative has been life-changing. Unable to walk to government offices, she received doorstep assistance to obtain her Life Certificate. “The experience was good, and I felt supported,” she shared.

Behind the scenes, GoaOnline is powered by integrated backend systems across departments. This integration eliminates data duplication, reduces processing time, and improves service accuracy. Citizens can track applications in real-time, upload and verify documents digitally, while departmental dashboards enable effective monitoring and governance.

The initiative has gained momentum under the leadership of Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, who emphasised its larger vision. “GoaOnline is not just a portal—it’s a promise of efficient governance, where technology bridges the gap between citizens and the state,” he remarked.

Looking ahead, the platform is evolving further. The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) is working on mobile-first upgrades, chatbot support, and AI-driven features to help citizens quickly identify relevant services—enhancing user experience and expanding digital inclusion.

By blending technology with a citizen-first mindset and strong interdepartmental coordination, Goa has redefined how governance can function in a digital era. GoaOnline is more than a portal—it represents a systemic shift toward effortless, inclusive, and transparent governance in a digitally empowered India.

TechPulse

10 Years of PhonePe: A Decade of Building for Bharat

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

PhonePe recently marked a significant milestone, completing ten years in India’s fintech ecosystem and celebrating a decade of innovation, growth and impact. Since its inception, the company has played a pivotal role in transforming the way India transacts and manages money, steadily expanding financial access across urban and rural Bharat alike.

In 2025, PhonePe crossed a major milestone by surpassing 600 million registered users, reinforcing its position as a cornerstone of India’s digital economy. The year focused strongly on deepening trust and improving accessibility with the introduction of features such as UPI Circle, which enables delegated payments for trusted contacts, and PhonePe Protect, a robust security framework designed to safeguard users against fraudulent transactions.

Strengthening its support for merchants, PhonePe introduced Made-in-India solutions like the SmartSpeaker and SmartPOD, helping small and medium businesses embrace digital payments with ease. Through the Udyam Assist initiative, launched in partnership with SIDBI, PhonePe became one of the first institutions to enable digital-first integration for MSMEs, streamlining their access to formal credit and financial services.

For consumers, the platform expanded beyond payments by launching affordable protection products such as Home Insurance and Health Insurance, aimed at India’s “Missing Middle.” PhonePe also unlocked liquidity through innovative lending solutions, including Loan Against Mutual Funds, ensuring essential financial services are accessible to a wider population.

Reflecting on the journey, Sameer Nigam, Founder and CEO of PhonePe, said that despite how far the company has come, the most exciting part is that the summit is still not in sight. He highlighted the passion of the teams behind PhonePe and noted that the journey continues to be meaningful and energising as the company builds for the future.

Rahul Chari, Founder and CTO, expressed pride in what PhonePe has built over the past decade, acknowledging the goodwill and support received from the industry and the wider ecosystem. He emphasised that building something people truly believe in is what turns an idea into real impact.

Over the years, PhonePe has consistently redefined the Indian fintech landscape through industry-first innovations. From Digital Gold and Mutual Funds to making Insurance and Stock Broking accessible to the masses, the platform has evolved into a comprehensive financial ecosystem. Key milestones include the PhonePe Business app for merchants, Merchant Lending, Credit Line on UPI, Cross-Border UPI, UPI Lite, and the 2024 launch of the Indus Appstore, Share.Market and secured lending platforms.

By relocating its domicile to India in 2022 and steadily expanding into credit and wealth management, PhonePe has moved beyond being a payments utility to becoming an integral part of India’s financial fabric, ensuring that access to protection, investment and credit continues to reach every citizen as it builds for Bharat.

TechPulse

Godrej Reimagines India’s First Refrigerator for Design-Forward Modern Homes

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

As Indian homes increasingly become extensions of personal style, consumers are seeking appliances that balance aesthetics with innovation and everyday convenience. Responding to this shift, the Appliances business of Godrej Enterprises Group has introduced the Eon Inspire and Edge Impress range of frost-free and direct cool refrigerators—reimagining one of the most essential household appliances as a design statement for contemporary living spaces.

Rooted in the brand’s legacy of manufacturing India’s first refrigerator in 1958, the new range pays subtle homage to this milestone through its seamless fluid curved door design. Moving away from conventional straight lines and standard forms, the refrigerators feature a minimalist yet visually striking silhouette that enhances the overall harmony of modern interiors. Floral motifs inspired by nature add a sense of freshness, while a thoughtfully curated colour palette allows consumers to choose models that reflect their personality and complement diverse home décors.

Available in capacities ranging from 194 litres to 330 litres, the Eon Inspire and Edge Impress range blends visual appeal with advanced technology. A key highlight is India’s first direct cool refrigerator with touch controls integrated into the door handle. This industry-first feature introduces a handle-mounted digital control panel that is water-resistant, intuitive, and seamlessly built into the design, enabling users to adjust temperatures and activate modes without opening the refrigerator.

Speaking about the launch, Anup Bhargava, Product Group Head – Refrigerators at the Appliances business of Godrej Enterprises Group, said the focus was on simplifying everyday life through thoughtful innovation. He noted that from easy-to-use controls to features that adapt to changing needs, the refrigerators are designed to deliver smarter cooling and a seamless user experience for modern households.

Echoing this sentiment, Kamal Pandit, Head of Design at the Appliances business of Godrej Enterprises Group, highlighted that today’s consumers want appliances that look good, feel contemporary, and enhance ease of use. By revisiting the essence of Godrej’s first refrigerator and reimagining it for today’s homes, the design team aimed to create products that are minimalistic, display-worthy, and technologically intuitive.

Priced between ₹29,000 and ₹56,000, the Eon Inspire and Edge Impress range will be available across leading e-commerce platforms and pan-India retail stores. With this launch, Godrej continues to reinforce its philosophy of ‘Things Made Thoughtfully,’ combining human-centric and planet-centric design while shaping appliances that align with evolving lifestyles and design-conscious homes.

TechPulse

Apple iPhone 16 Becomes India’s Top-Selling Smartphone in 2025

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Apple has once again strengthened its foothold in the Indian smartphone market, with the iPhone 16 becoming the top-selling smartphone in India during 2025. According to industry estimates, Apple sold around 6.5 million units of the iPhone 16 in the first 11 months of the year, marking a significant achievement for the tech giant in one of the world’s fastest-growing mobile markets.

This milestone reflects Apple’s growing appeal among Indian consumers, driven by a combination of improved affordability through local manufacturing, attractive financing options, and rising demand for premium smartphones. The iPhone 16’s strong performance also highlights a shift in consumer preferences, as more users opt for flagship devices offering advanced cameras, powerful processors, enhanced battery life, and seamless ecosystem integration.

India has become a key focus market for Apple, not only for sales but also for manufacturing and exports. With increasing local production under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, Apple has been able to price its devices more competitively, making premium smartphones accessible to a wider audience.

Industry experts believe the success of the iPhone 16 signals Apple’s long-term growth trajectory in India and sets the stage for even stronger performance in the coming years. As India’s digital adoption accelerates, Apple’s expanding presence underscores the country’s importance in shaping the future of the global smartphone market.