Malaysia will lift its temporary block on access to the AI tool Grok on X only after the platform operator fully resolves concerns over the generation of harmful content.
Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said X must provide clear evidence that Grok can no longer produce video or image content that could be misused before the restriction is lifted.
“If they succeed in disabling the production of materials considered harmful online, the government will end the temporary ban on Grok,” he said at the launch of the Centre for Responsible Technology (CERT) today.
Fahmi emphasized that the government wants social media platforms to be safer, especially for children and families, and free from scams and harmful content.
On Jan 11, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) ordered a temporary block on Grok for Malaysian users after repeated misuse of the tool to generate pornographic and explicit content, including indecent material and non-consensual manipulated images involving women and children, despite prior regulatory notices issued to X Corp. and xAI LLC.
Fahmi acknowledged that X had disabled some prompts enabling the creation of inappropriate images via Grok, but MCMC deemed these measures insufficient and not comprehensive.
He added that the government is taking a cooperative approach through established legal and regulatory channels, in line with the Online Safety Act (ONSA) 2025, which is guided by the Online Safety Committee. The committee includes representatives from the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and other relevant agencies to advise the government on digital safety issues.
The minister stressed that Malaysia does not intend to impose blanket bans on social media platforms but seeks to prevent their misuse for criminal purposes.
“I believe engagement and discussions with the platforms are a more positive approach — not to block them, but to ensure they are not exploited, especially by criminals,” he said.
Fahmi also noted that concerns over Grok are not limited to Malaysia, citing similar positions taken by Indonesia and several European countries.
“When many countries share the same concerns, it is clearly something X needs to address,” he said, highlighting the need to balance freedom of expression with preventing abuse of digital platforms.
