Indonesia Threatens Ban on Musk’s Grok AI Over Degrading Images

Indonesia Threatens Ban on Musk’s Grok AI Over Degrading Images
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Indonesia has warned it may block Elon Musk’s social media platform X and its artificial intelligence chatbot Grok after a surge in degrading images of women and children generated without consent, Arab News reported.

The Ministry of Communications and Digital Affairs said a preliminary investigation found that Grok lacked adequate safeguards to prevent the creation and spread of pornographic content based on real photographs of Indonesian citizens. The warning follows a viral trend in which Grok complied with user requests to digitally alter images of real people, stripping them to their underwear.

Indonesia enforces strict laws against the production and distribution of pornography and regularly orders internet service providers to block offending content. The ministry said all digital platforms operating in the country are required to comply with national regulations and could face administrative sanctions, including termination of access, if they fail to cooperate.

Concerns intensified after a December update to Grok made it easier for users to upload photos and request clothing removal. A recent report by European non-profit AI Forensics found that a majority of Grok-generated images depicted women in minimal attire, with some images appearing to involve minors.

Indonesia has joined countries including Malaysia, India and France in calling for investigations and possible action against the chatbot.