MCMC orders temporary access restriction on Grok AI following misuse concerns
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has officially directed a temporary restriction on access to the Grok artificial intelligence (AI) tool for all users in Malaysia, effective 11 January 2026. The move comes after repeated instances of the AI being misused to generate harmful content, including pornographic and sexually explicit material, as well as non-consensual manipulated images (deepfakes).
According to the official media statement, the MCMC had previously engaged with X Corp. and xAI LLC, issuing formal notices on January 3 and January 8, 2026. The regulator demanded the implementation of technical protection measures and effective content moderation to prevent AI-generated content from violating Malaysian law, specifically Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.
However, the MCMC found the responses provided by X Corp. on January 7 and January 9 to be insufficient. The regulator noted that the platform’s approach focused primarily on user-initiated reporting mechanisms rather than addressing the “inherent risks” found in the design and operation of the AI tool itself.
The primary driver for the restriction is the protection of vulnerable groups. The MCMC highlighted that a significant portion of the misused content involved the manipulation of images of women and minors.
“This temporary restriction is imposed as a reasonable precautionary measure while legislative and regulatory processes are still ongoing,” the commission stated. Access to Grok will remain blocked until X Corp. and xAI can demonstrate the implementation of effective safeguards that comply with Malaysian laws.
The MCMC urges the public to remain vigilant and report any harmful online content directly to the commission. Users who encounter illegal or offensive material are also encouraged to lodge official police reports with the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
Read more of our articles below!
