As more nations block Grok for obscene content, calls for Asean-wide curbs mount

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Sam BeltranJanuary 21, 2026 at 06:30 AM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

Several Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia, have blocked access to the AI chatbot Grok due to the generation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfake images. These actions were prompted by user complaints regarding manipulated images of women and minors created without consent. Regulators in Malaysia stated that X Corp, Grok's developer, failed to implement adequate safeguards despite prior warnings, relying instead on user reporting. The Philippines cited the need to combat increasing toxic content online, particularly with the rise of AI. Analysts suggest these individual blocks are temporary measures, highlighting the need for coordinated regional efforts within ASEAN to effectively address the risks of AI manipulation.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 60% Henry Rhoel Aguda 60% Elon Musk 60% Indonesia 70% Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission 70% Philippines ×270% Malaysia 70% X Corp ×380% Grok ×690%

Keywords

grok 100% ai chatbot 90% sexually explicit content 90% deepfake images 80% artificial intelligence 70% asean 60% content moderation 60% online safety 60% x corp 50% regulatory engagement 50%