MCMC takes legal action against X over safety concerns with Grok
The MCMC, in coordination with the Communications Ministry, is pursuing legal action against X Corp and xAI LLC over their alleged failure to ensure user safety in Malaysia in relation to the use of their artificial intelligence application, Grok.
In a statement today, MCMC said solicitors had been appointed for the matter and that legal proceedings would be “commenced shortly”, without providing a specific timeline.
The MCMC, in coordination with the Communications Ministry, is pursuing legal action against X Corp and xAI LLC over their alleged failure to ensure user safety in Malaysia in relation to the use of their artificial intelligence application, Grok.
In a statement today, MCMC said solicitors had been appointed for the matter and that legal proceedings would be “commenced shortly”, without providing a specific timeline.
"MCMC has identified the misuse of Grok to generate and disseminate harmful content. This includes obscene, sexually explicit, indecent, grossly offensive, and non-consensual manipulated images.
"Content allegedly involving women and minors is of serious concern. Such conduct contravenes Malaysian law and undermines the entities’ stated safety commitments, MCMC said.
It added that despite notices issued to X Corp and xAI LLC on Jan 3 and Jan 8, for the removal of the said offensive content, no remedial action was taken.
MCMC said that X Corp and xAI LLC may be held liable, even if such contents are generated by its users.
"They retain control over Grok’s design, deployment, moderation mechanisms, and risk-mitigation measures. Liability cannot be disclaimed where systemic safeguards have failed.
"MCMC notes the failure of X Corp and xAI LLC to enforce their own policies and internal controls. This failure may have facilitated unlawful online activities within Malaysia," it added.
Legal action
Earlier today, Bernama reported Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil as saying that the MCMC is mulling legal action against the said platform, over the said issue.
“MCMC contacted X last week for clarification… The response was unsatisfactory. After receiving MCMC’s report, I instructed that a temporary restriction be imposed on Grok and that legal action be considered,” he reportedly said.
Fahmi said the restriction applies only to Grok, not the entire X platform, citing insufficient safeguards to control AI-generated content, and that the duration of the restriction will depend on X’s level of compliance with the law.
He said the issue involves potential breaches of the Communications and Multimedia Act and the Online Safety Act, and enforcement action may continue as long as unlawful content can still be generated and published.
Fahmi said Malaysia is not alone in taking action, as other countries, including Indonesia, have blocked Grok, while the United Kingdom is examining similar concerns.
“This also reflects global alarm over Grok’s failure to provide adequate safeguards in the use of AI,” he added.
