Despite a recent temporary ban on the generative AI tool Grok in Malaysia, users can still access the platform. The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission announced the ban effective from January 11, 2026, due to concerns over the generation of inappropriate content, including nonconsensual manipulated images. However, Grok's official account on X (formerly Twitter) indicated that the ban is easily circumvented using a VPN or DNS modifications.
Similar restrictions have been considered by authorities in Indonesia and the Philippines, reflecting a broader global concern about the platform's capabilities. While testing revealed Grok's website remained accessible in Indonesia, the app was not functioning without a VPN. Experts like Nana Nwachukwu from Trinity College Dublin argue that simply blocking the tool is inadequate, advocating for a focus on accountability for those who misuse AI technologies.
In response to public pressure, X announced plans to prevent Grok from editing images of real individuals in revealing clothing. However, users continue to find ways around these restrictions, underscoring the ongoing challenges authorities face in regulating such technology.