Grok blocked by Indonesian and Malaysian governments as UK threatens full ban

Access to Grok was cut off for users in Indonesia and Malaysia following concerns that the xAI chatbot’s protections were ineffective.

Both countries have issued temporary suspensions intended to remain in effect until xAI implements safeguards consistent with regulators’ requirements.

“The government considers the practice of non-consensual sexual deepfakes to be a serious violation of the human rights, dignity and security of citizens in the digital space,” Indonesian Minister of Communications and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid wrote in a statement released on Saturday. Indonesia has sweeping internet censorship laws governing content deemed “obscene”.

Malaysia recently launched an investigation into the “misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) tools on Platform X”, as part of a wave of intervention measures taken by regulators. This investigation followed a notice from India’s IT Ministry ordering X to take immediate action regarding the alleged misuse of Grok. The notice alluded to potential violations of the country’s information technology law.

French prosecutors in Paris and other foreign governments, including the UK and an EU investigation, have announced similar investigations into xAI technology and its regulation under relevant online security laws. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also released a statement regarding Grok’s deepfake concerns, reiterating the country’s decision to ban users under 16 from social media. Additionally, the National Center on Sexual Exploitation (NCOSE) has called on the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to investigate X under existing Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM) laws and the recent Take It Down Act.

UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall recently said she would support blocking X outright, if the UK’s Office of Communications (Ofcom) concludes that the platform violates the Online Safety Act. Kendall said she expects a decision to be made in the coming days.

Elon Musk, who previously said users should face consequences if they “upload illegal content” to X, responded to ban threats by accusing the UK government of being too eager to censor the company. In an article on X, Musk wrote: “They just want to suppress free speech. » Musk also shared several X messages claiming that Grok was targeted by government officials.

A recent Wired investigation found that desktop and app versions of Grok Imagine were capable of producing graphic and sexually violent material, depictions of celebrities in sexual scenarios, and potential AI-generated CSAM, despite built-in safeguards. The chatbot now has a well-documented history of producing sexualized deepfakes, including at the request of users who ask Grok to non-consensually “undress” individuals in publicly uploaded photos.