TEMPORARY BLOCK ON GROK TO BE LIFTED ONLY AFTER SAFETY FIX - FAHMI

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 15 (Bernama) -- The temporary ban on Grok's artificial intelligence (AI) functions will only be lifted if the issues related to the generation of harmful content can be fully resolved by X, which developed the technology.

Communications Minister Datuk Fahmi Fadzil said X must comprehensively demonstrate that Grok can no longer produce video or image content that could be misused before the restriction is removed.

“If they succeed in disabling the production of materials considered online harm or harmful, the government will end the temporary ban on Grok,” he told reporters after launching the Centre for Responsible Technology (CERT) here today.

Fahmi said the government wants social media platforms to be safer, particularly 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 access to Grok for users in Malaysia, effective the same day.

According to MCMC, the temporary block on the AI tool Grok was imposed after repeated misuse to generate pornographic and explicit content, including indecent material and non-consensual manipulated images involving women and children, despite regulatory notices issued to X Corp. and xAI LLC.

Elaborating, Fahmi stated that the ministry also took note that X had disabled several prompts that enabled the creation of inappropriate images via Grok; however, MCMC found the measures insufficient and not comprehensive.

He said the government is pursuing a cooperative approach through established legal and regulatory channels, in line with the implementation of the Online Safety Act (ONSA) 2025, which will be advised by the Online Safety Committee.

Fahmi said the committee includes representatives from the Office of the Children’s Commissioner, the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), and relevant agencies to advise the government on digital safety issues.

The minister stressed that the government does not intend to impose a blanket ban on social media platforms, but aims 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 said that concerns over Grok are not limited to Malaysia, noting similar positions taken by countries including Indonesia and several European nations.

“When many countries share the same concerns, it is clearly something X needs to address,” he said, underscoring the need to balance freedom of expression with preventing abuse of digital platforms.

-- BERNAMA