BY COMFORT OGBONNA
Malaysia has restored access to Grok for users in the country after social media platform X introduced additional safety measures, according to the nation’s communications regulator on Friday. The decision follows a temporary block imposed earlier this month amid growing global concern over how the artificial intelligence chatbot was being used.
The Malaysian government had moved to restrict access to Grok after backlash erupted worldwide over a controversial feature that allowed users to create and publish sexualised images of other individuals. Authorities said the feature raised serious concerns about user safety, consent, and the potential misuse of artificial intelligence technologies, particularly in ways that could cause harm or violate local laws.
During the suspension period, regulators engaged with representatives of X to address the risks associated with the platform and to seek assurances that stronger safeguards would be put in place. The additional safety measures introduced by X were deemed sufficient to allow Grok to resume operations in Malaysia, the regulator said, though it stressed that monitoring would continue.
Officials reiterated that Malaysia expects technology platforms operating in the country to comply with national regulations and to act responsibly, especially when deploying powerful AI tools that can easily be abused. They also warned that further action could be taken if similar issues arise in the future.
The restoration of access comes as governments around the world grapple with how to regulate rapidly advancing artificial intelligence systems, balancing innovation with the need to protect users from harmful content and misuse.
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