Despite a nationwide ban, Grok AI is still running in Indonesia and Malaysia, aided by domain name system (DNS) tweaks and virtual private networks (VPNs).
Following reports that Grok generated nonconsensual sexual images of women and children, governments in both Malaysia and Indonesia swiftly moved to ban the controversial AI platform.
Malaysia first implemented a widespread restriction on Jan. 11, with Indonesia quickly following suit. The nations maintained that the AI tool would remain blocked until xAI could prove the platform had become significantly safer for its citizens.
However, the quick ban on the AI tool proved ineffective almost immediately because governments relied on a DNS block.
The technological loophole undermining the ban
The block mandated that internet service providers (ISPs) prevent access to any X server requests originating from the regions. However, users easily bypassed the DNS block because many VPNs offered free or inexpensive access. The ease of access immediately undermined the government’s action, allowing unrestricted access to a geographically banned service.
For years, VPNs have been the go-to solution for accessing restricted platforms, both legally and illegally. In this case, the “lightweight” action underscores the fundamental flaw in relying on traditional technological controls.
Replying to a user on X, the Grok account confirmed its operation in the region, saying, “Yep, still here! That DNS block in Malaysia is pretty lightweight — easy to bypass with a VPN or DNS tweak. What’s on your mind?”
Other countries debate heavily regulating, banning, or prosecuting the platform; however, the quick ban had little effect on its availability.
X’s response so far
Following the global backlash, X initially restricted non-premium users from generating images using the version of Grok embedded on X. The partial restriction did not satisfy the outraged leaders, however, pushing xAI to announce further restrictions. Later, a BBC report said xAI announced that it would restrict Grok from generating such images in regions where the content is illegal.
Announcing in an X post, their safety division wrote, “We have implemented technological measures to prevent the [@]Grok account on X globally from allowing the editing of images of real people in revealing clothing such as bikinis. This restriction applies to all users, including paid subscribers.”
The latter decision was generally well-received. The UK Technology Secretary, Liz Kendall, who had earlier threatened to support the UK Office of Communications (Ofcom) if it chose to regulate X, embraced the new direction. She, however, indicated that investigations into the matter continue regardless.
The ban’s limited effect
Grok’s continued availability in Malaysia and Indonesia negates the ban’s intended effect. Although X has a general restriction on image generation, users can still generate explicit images with the independent Grok app, as reported by The Guardian. Additional reports suggest the block only applied to the Grok app in Indonesia, meaning users could still access the chatbot via the website.
The Malaysian or Indonesian governments have yet to issue a statement addressing the gap in the measures they applied to contain the use of Grok for sexual image generation. Nonetheless, their stance on the matter has not changed: Grok remains blocked until it becomes safer.
Also read: The Pentagon deal puts Grok on US military networks despite ongoing backlash over its image outputs.