MCMC temporarily bans Grok over harmful AI-generated content; Musk decries ‘censorship’

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has imposed a temporary restriction on access to Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence chatbot Grok, effective today, citing repeated misuse of the tool to generate sexually obscene, offensive and non-consensually manipulated images.

In a statement, MCMC said the chatbot developed by xAI had continued to be used to create harmful content despite regulatory engagement and formal notices issued to xAI LLC and its parent company, X Corp.

The commission said some of the content involved women and minors.

“MCMC issued notices to X and xAI on Jan 3 and Jan 8 to demand, among others, the implementation of effective technical and moderation safeguards to prevent AI-generated content that may contravene Malaysian law,” it said.

However, MCMC said the responses submitted by X on Jan 7 and Jan 9 relied mainly on user-initiated reporting mechanisms and failed to address risks inherent in the design and operation of the AI tool.

“MCMC considers this insufficient to prevent harm or ensure legal compliance,” it added.

The commission said the restriction is a preventive and proportionate measure while legal and regulatory processes are ongoing, and that access to Grok will remain blocked until effective safeguards are implemented.

MCMC also urged the public to report harmful online content to the commission and the police where appropriate, and said it remains open to engagement with X and xAI subject to demonstrable compliance with Malaysian law.

Malaysia is among a small number of countries to restrict access to Grok over concerns about AI-generated pornographic content, following a similar move by Indonesia.

In response to mounting criticism and regulatory scrutiny, xAI announced that it has restricted image generation and editing features to paid subscribers in an attempt to address safeguard lapses.

Elon Musk, meanwhile, has defended the platform, saying critics of his social media company X are looking for “any excuse for censorship” following backlash over Grok’s use to create sexualised images of individuals without their knowledge or consent.

In the United Kingdom, media regulator Ofcom has said it is conducting an urgent assessment of X, with the backing of Technology Secretary Liz Kendall. However, the chairs of Parliament’s technology and media committees have expressed concern that gaps in the Online Safety Act may limit Ofcom’s ability to respond effectively.

Downing Street has described X’s move to limit AI image functions to paying users as “insulting” to victims of sexual violence.