Indonesia Temporarily Blocks Elon Musk’s Grok AI Over Deepfake Concerns

New Delhi, january 10, 2026: Indonesia has officially suspended access to Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, following reports that the tool was being used to generate non-consensual sexualized images. The move, announced on Saturday, January 10, 2026, makes Indonesia the first nation to take such direct regulatory action against the platform specifically for AI-generated pornographic content.+1

The decision by the Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) follows an investigation into a surge of “digital-based violence” involving AI deepfakes. According to Indonesian authorities, Grok lacks the necessary safeguards to prevent users from manipulating real photographs of citizens into explicit or “remove clothes” imagery.+1

A Stand Against Digital Violence

Communications and Digital Minister Meutya Hafid stated that the government views the production of non-consensual sexual deepfakes as a “serious violation of human rights, dignity, and the security of citizens.”

The ministry’s investigation was triggered by a viral trend on X (formerly Twitter), where users reportedly leveraged Grok’s image-generation capabilities to create “disrobing” images of women and minors. A recent report by the non-profit AI Forensics highlighted the scale of the issue, finding that a significant percentage of AI-generated images on the platform depicted individuals in sexualized or minimally clothed contexts without their consent.+1

Legal Framework and Sanctions

The block is enforced under Ministerial Regulation No. 5/2020, which empowers the Indonesian government to restrict Private Electronic System Operators (PSEs) that fail to moderate “prohibited content.”

Furthermore, Indonesia’s New Criminal Code (Law No. 1 of 2023), which came into effect earlier this year, provides strict penalties for the distribution of obscene material. Under Articles 172 and 407, individuals or entities found guilty of distributing pornographic content or manipulating personal images face:

• Prison sentences ranging from six months to 10 years.
• Heavy administrative fines and permanent blocking of services.

Global Backlash and X’s Response

Indonesia is not alone in its scrutiny. Regulators in the European Union and the United Kingdom have also raised alarms. The EU recently launched an investigation into Grok’s “Spicy Mode,” which critics say has been exploited to generate illegal content.+1

In response to the mounting pressure, xAI announced it would restrict certain image-generation features to paying subscribers while it works on internal “safeguard lapses.” Elon Musk addressed the controversy on X, asserting that “anyone using Grok to make illegal content would suffer the same consequences as if they had uploaded illegal content.”+1

However, Indonesian officials argue that shifting liability to the user is insufficient. They have summoned X officials for a formal meeting to demand concrete technical measures that prevent misuse at the source.+1

What’s Next for Grok in Indonesia?

The current block is described as temporary. To regain access to Indonesia’s market—one of the world’s largest for social media with over 22 million X users—the platform must:

1. Prove it has implemented robust content filters.
2. Establish expedited reporting procedures for victims of deepfakes.
3. Ensure compliance with national “decency” laws.

Until these conditions are met, Grok remains inaccessible behind Indonesia’s “Positive Internet” firewall.