Malaysia and Indonesia block Grok over explicit deepfakes

Malaysia and Indonesia have blocked access to Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok over concerns it can generate sexually explicit deepfake images.

The tool, integrated into X, has been used to manipulate images of real people into revealing or pornographic content.

Authorities said the misuse poses risks of non-consensual and harmful imagery involving women and children.

Malaysia’s communications regulator said it had repeatedly warned X about Grok’s misuse but found the response inadequate.

The regulator said Grok will remain blocked until effective safeguards are introduced.

Indonesia’s communications minister said producing sexually explicit content with AI violates human rights and online safety.

Using Grok to produce sexually explicit content is a violation of human rights, dignity and online safety.

Meutya Hafid said.

Indonesian officials have asked X to clarify how Grok is being used and controlled on the platform.

The bans make Malaysia and Indonesia the first countries to block the AI chatbot.

Grok and X are also facing scrutiny in the UK over alleged failures to comply with online safety laws.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the use of AI to generate sexualised images, calling it unacceptable.