The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has ordered a temporary restriction on access to the Grok artificial intelligence for users in Malaysia, effective 11 January 2026, and is urging consumers to “promptly report” harmful online content to MCMC and, where appropriate, lodge police reports.

MCMC said in its weekend order that the restriction “follows repeated misuse of Grok to generate obscene, sexually explicit, indecent, grossly offensive, and non-consensual manipulated images, including content involving women and minors”. 

The government agency also said X Corp and xAI LLC had been repeatedly warned and issued multiple formal notices this month – and that the responses had failed to address the risks.  

MCMC said notices to both companies on 3 and 8 January 2026 had demanded “the implementation of effective technical and moderation safeguards to prevent AI-generated content that may contravene Malaysian law”. MCMC cited Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998.

The responses submitted on 7 January 2026 and 9 January 2026 by X “relied primarily on user-initiated reporting mechanisms and failed to address the inherent risks posed by the design and operation of the AI tool. MCMC considers this insufficient to prevent harm or ensure legal compliance”.

The weekend order said “the restriction is imposed as a preventive and proportionate measure while legal and regulatory processes are ongoing. Access to Grok will remain restricted until effective safeguards are implemented, particularly to prevent content involving women and children. MCMC remains open to engagement with X Corp. and xAI LLC subject to demonstrable compliance with Malaysian law”.