Malaysia has restored access to Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, after social media platform X implemented additional safety measures, the country’s communications regulator said on Friday. The move follows a temporary block imposed earlier this month amid a global backlash over Grok’s ability to generate and publish sexualised images of individuals.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission said the decision to lift the restriction came after assurances that safeguards had been strengthened to address content risks and protect users. Authorities had joined regulators in several countries in raising concerns over the misuse of generative AI tools, particularly around non-consensual and harmful imagery.
The Grok controversy has intensified scrutiny of AI-powered chatbots and image-generation systems worldwide, with governments demanding stricter controls and accountability from developers. Malaysia said it would continue monitoring Grok’s compliance with local laws and regulations, signalling that further action could be taken if safety commitments are not upheld.
