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MCMC, Ministry of Communications to take legal action against Grok AI

by Teddy Cambosa

-

January 16, 2026

MCMC, Ministry of Communications to take legal action against Grok AI

Kuala Lumpur – Malaysia’s communications regulator is preparing to initiate legal proceedings against X Corp. and xAI LLC over alleged failures to ensure user safety linked to the use of the artificial intelligence tool Grok.

In a statement issued on 13 January, the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) said it is coordinating with the Ministry of Communications to pursue legal action against the two entities. Solicitors have been appointed and legal proceedings are expected to commence shortly.

According to MCMC, the action follows the identification of Grok being misused to generate and distribute harmful content, including obscene, sexually explicit, indecent and grossly offensive material, as well as non-consensual manipulated images. The regulator said content allegedly involving women and minors is of particular concern, noting that such material contravenes Malaysian law and undermines the companies’ stated safety commitments.

MCMC said it issued notices to X Corp. and xAI LLC on 3 and 8 January 2026, requiring the removal of the offending content. The regulator stated that no remedial action has been taken to date.

The commission added that X Corp. and xAI LLC may still be held liable even if the content was generated by users, citing their control over Grok’s design, deployment, moderation systems and risk-mitigation measures. It said liability cannot be disclaimed where systemic safeguards have failed.

MCMC also pointed to what it described as a failure by the two entities to enforce their own internal policies and controls, which it said may have facilitated unlawful online activities within Malaysia.

The regulator reaffirmed its commitment to upholding Malaysian law and protecting the public interest, stating that all digital platforms operating in or affecting Malaysia are required to comply fully with applicable legal and regulatory obligations.

Earlier this month, MCMC ordered a temporary restriction on access to the Grok artificial intelligence tool for users in Malaysia, citing repeated instances in which the AI tool was misused to generate obscene, sexually explicit, indecent, grossly offensive and non-consensual manipulated images.

Related Tags Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission Grok AI Ministry of Communications Artificial Intelligence Malaysia Social Media Legal Action
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