Malaysia has officially lifted the ban on Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, after the platform X implemented new safety measures

Malaysia has officially restored access to Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, effective January 23, 2026. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) eased the suspension when X (formerly, Twitter) had managed to prove that critical safeguards were implemented. The regulatory body had initially imposed the Malaysia Grok ban earlier this month following widespread outrage over the tool’s misuse. Users had exploited the AI chatbot to generate non-consensual, sexually explicit deepfake images of women and children, prompting immediate government intervention. Such restoration is a kind of provisional peace agreement, which depends on whether X will comply with Malaysian laws and digital safety measures.

Implementing Strict X Safety Measures

The resolution came after intense negotiations between MCMC authorities and the X officials on the compliance of the platform. To secure the ban’s lifting, the platform rolled out robust X safety measures, specifically targeting the image generation capabilities of the tool. These new rules involve intensive filtering to prohibit invitations to send pictures of actual individuals in sexually revealing outfits, e.g. bikinis or lingerie. The MCMC said that access would be restored, but now the platform would be closely monitored to ensure that these guardrails are still used to prevent abuse and that the company keeps its safety commitments.

The Future of the AI Chatbot Landscape

This case study is a critical example of worldwide technology control. The aggressive move by Malaysia shows that governments can make tech giants focus more on user safety without necessarily closing the innovation. As the AI chatbot continues to evolve, this compliance model—where market access is tied directly to verifiable safety performance—may become the standard for operations in Southeast Asia. The prompt solution is an indication that proactive regulation can be in tandem with technological progress, as long as sites such as X respond promptly to correct such vulnerability that has the potential to undermine the dignity of people.

Disclaimer: Stay updated with the latest news in Malaysia, from politics to business trends, while also catching up on the latest news in sports covering matches, scores, and tournaments. Explore the latest news in entertainment with celebrity updates, movies, and shows, and don’t miss the latest news in games, featuring trending releases and esports highlights.