The Indonesian government has restored access to Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot, weeks after suspending the AI tool over concerns related to the generation of explicit and inappropriate imagery.
Authorities confirmed that the ban, introduced in January, has been lifted on a conditional basis after X Corp—the company behind Grok—submitted formal assurances outlining steps to prevent misuse and ensure adherence to Indonesian law. Officials stressed that the chatbot will remain under strict regulatory supervision.
The original restriction followed reports that Grok had been used to produce sexualised images without consent, including content involving women and minors. The incident sparked public backlash and prompted regulators to block the AI tool while they assessed potential violations of national digital safety regulations.
According to the Ministry of Communication, X Corp provided a written commitment pledging improvements to content moderation systems and safeguards designed to curb abuse. Based on those assurances, the government agreed to allow Grok to resume operations, while reserving the right to intervene if further breaches occur.
Indonesian officials emphasized that the decision does not signal full approval of the chatbot’s practices. Instead, Grok’s services will be monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure compliance with content standards, user protection rules, and broader national laws governing digital platforms.
The move aligns Indonesia with other Southeast Asian nations, including Malaysia and the Philippines, which have also reversed earlier bans on Grok following similar compliance undertakings by X Corp.
Beyond Southeast Asia, Grok has faced scrutiny from regulators across Europe and Asia. Several authorities have raised concerns about the chatbot’s ability to generate harmful or inappropriate content, and some jurisdictions have launched formal reviews into its safety controls and governance frameworks.
Indonesian regulators made clear that the reinstatement should not be interpreted as a reset. Officials warned that any future violations could trigger swift enforcement action, including renewed restrictions or a full suspension of services.
As governments worldwide grapple with how to regulate fast-evolving AI tools, Indonesia’s conditional approval of Grok highlights the growing tension between technological innovation and the need for stronger safeguards against digital harm.
