Malaysia restricts access to Grok AI as backlash over explicit content widens

Malaysia on Sunday January 11,2026 temporarily blocked access to Grok, joining a growing list of countries taking action after the generative artificial intelligence AI chatbot sparked a global backlash by allowing users to create and publish sexualized images.

xAI, the Elon Musk-led firm behind Grok, on Thursday January 8,2026 said it would restrict image generation and editing to paying subscribers as it addressed lapses that allowed users on ‘X’ to produce sexualized content of others, often without consent.

On Saturday January 10,2026, Indonesia became the first country to temporarily deny access to the bot.

In a statement on Sunday, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it would restrict access to Grok following repeated misuse of the tool "to generate obscene, sexually explicit, indecent, grossly offensive, and non-consensual manipulated images, including content involving women and minors."

MCMC said it issued notices to ‘X’ and ‘xAI’ this month to demand the implementation of effective technical and moderation safeguards, but the received responses relied primarily on user-initiated reporting mechanisms and failed to address the risks posed by the design and operation of the AI tools.

"MCMC considers this insufficient to prevent harm or ensure legal compliance," it said.

As reported by Reuters, xAI replied to an email seeking comment with what seemed to be an automated response, “Legacy Media Lies,” as X did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Moreover, the Malaysian communication authority said access to Grok would be restricted until effective safeguards were implemented, adding that it was open to engaging with the firms.

The Muslim-majority country has strict laws governing online content, including a ban on obscene and pornographic materials.

Using Grok to produce sexually explicit content is a violation of human rights, dignity and online safety, Meutya Hafid, Indonesia's communications and digital affairs minister, said in a post on Instagram.

Moreover, the use of Grok to generate sexualized images has been condemned by leaders worldwide, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who called it "disgraceful" and "disgusting."

The country has put internet companies under greater scrutiny in recent years in response to a rise in harmful content.

Additionally, Malaysia is also considering restricting users younger than 16 from accessing social media.