PETALING JAYA: The Grok Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot has been temporarily blocked in Malaysia effective Jan 11.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said this was due to repeated misuse of the AI chatbot to generate obscene, sexually explicit, indecent, grossly offensive, and non-consensual manipulated images, including content involving women and minors, despite prior regulatory engagement and formal notices issued to X Corp and xAI LLC.
"MCMC had issued notices to X Corp and xAI LLC on Jan 3 and 8, demanding, amongst others, the implementation of effective technical and moderation safeguards to prevent AI-generated content that may contravene Malaysian law, including Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act.
"However, the responses submitted on Jan 7 and 9 by X Corp relied primarily on user-initiated reporting mechanisms and failed to address the inherent risks posed by the design and operation of the AI tool," it said in a statement issued on Sunday (Jan 11).
"MCMC considers this insufficient to prevent harm or ensure legal compliance.
"The restriction is imposed as a preventive and proportionate measure while legal and regulatory processes are ongoing," it said, adding that access to Grok would remain restricted until effective safeguards are implemented, particularly to prevent content involving women and children.
MCMC also said that they remain open to engagement with X Corp and xAI LLC subject to demonstrable compliance with Malaysian law.
"Members of the public are strongly urged to promptly report harmful online content to MCMC and, where appropriate, lodge police reports with the police," it said.
