Malaysia and Indonesia block Grok over deepfake images

Malaysia and Indonesia have blocked access to Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok after regulators said it was used to create sexually explicit deepfakes of real people.

Malaysia and Indonesia have moved to block access to the AI chatbot Grok after regulators reported it was used to create sexually explicit deepfakes of real people. The communications ministries said the tool allowed image edits without consent and that the content raised issues of dignity and online safety. Both countries said they took the decisions after finding repeated misuse of the image-generation feature. The actions are among the first national bans aimed specifically at this AI tool. Key facts: - Malaysia's communications regulator said it issued notices to X earlier in the year and will keep Grok blocked until effective safeguards are implemented. - Indonesia's communications minister stated that using Grok to produce sexually explicit content violates human rights and dignity, and the ministry has asked X for clarification. - Several Indonesian users reported non-consensual edits of their photos and described reporting and removal efforts as ineffective. - The BBC has contacted Grok for comment, and Elon Musk previously said critics sought "any excuse for censorship." - The British media regulator Ofcom is expected to consider whether to take action in the UK. Summary: The bans remove access to Grok in Malaysia and Indonesia while regulators seek responses from X and call for new safeguards. Ofcom in the UK is expected to decide on possible actions; next regulatory outcomes are undetermined at this time.