Malaysia, Indonesia Blocks Elon Musk’s Grok AI Over Sexually Explicit Images

Last Updated:January 12, 2026, 20:43 IST

The decision follows global concern that Grok’s image creation feature allowed users to sexualise pictures of women and children using simple text prompts.

The Grok chatbot, which is accessed through social media platform X, has been criticized for generating manipulated images.

Malaysia and Indonesia have become the first countries to block Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, after authorities said it was being misused to generate sexually explicit and non-consensual images.

The decision follows global concern that Grok’s image creation feature allowed users to sexualise pictures of women and children using simple text prompts.

The AI tool is integrated into Musk’s social media platform X and has been criticised for producing manipulated images, including sexualised depictions of minors.

Indonesia blocked all access to Grok on Saturday, citing the risk of fake pornographic content being created and shared without consent.

“The government sees non-consensual sexual deepfakes as a serious violation of human rights, dignity and the safety of citizens in the digital space," said Communications and Digital Affairs Minister Meutya Hafid.

Alexander Sabar, director general of digital space supervision, added that the tool lacks effective safeguards, putting privacy and reputations at risk.

Similarly, Malaysia followed with a temporary suspension. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it had “directed a temporary restriction on access to the Grok artificial intelligence for users in Malaysia" after repeated misuse to produce obscene, sexually explicit and non-consensual manipulated images.

The regulator said prior notices to X Corp. and xAI relied mainly on user reporting mechanisms and were insufficient. “The restriction is imposed as a preventive and proportionate measure while legal and regulatory processes are ongoing," the MCMC added. Access will only resume once effective safeguards are verified.

Launched in 2023, Grok allows users to ask questions on X and generate images through its Grok Imagine feature. Last year, a “spicy mode" was added, allowing the creation of adult content. The tool has since restricted image generation to paying subscribers, but critics say this does not fully prevent sexualised deepfakes.

(With inputs from agencies)

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