Indonesia lets Elon Musk’s Grok resume operations after ban over sexualised images

Indonesia has conditionally lifted its ban on Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence chatbot Grok, allowing the AI tool to resume operations under strict government supervision following a three‑week suspension triggered by widespread misuse. The Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs said the reversal was contingent on a written commitment from X Corp, the social platform formerly known as Twitter, to improve compliance with Indonesian laws and prevent further abuse of the technology.

The ban in Indonesia, the first of its kind globally, was imposed after the chatbot’s image generation features were used to create large numbers of sexually explicit and non‑consensual images, including of women and children, sparking public alarm and regulatory action. Critics said the misuse constituted a serious violation of personal dignity and raised acute concerns about online safety and digital child protection.

X Corp and its AI division, xAI, have implemented layered safety and moderation enhancements to address the misuse that prompted the ban. These changes include restricting or modifying image editing and generation features , geoblocking certain capabilities in jurisdictions where such content is illegal, tightening internal policies and enforcement mechanisms, and moving advanced image tools behind subscription barriers to improve accountability. Indonesian authorities will continue to verify whether these technical and policy changes effectively curb harmful outputs.

Senior ministry official Alexander Sabar stressed that the reinstatement of Grok is not an unconditional endorsement . The government will continuously monitor implementation of the pledged measures to ensure they prevent violations of local content laws, including child protection principles. If authorities detect inconsistencies or further violations, the ministry has made clear that it will not hesitate to take corrective action, including reimposing the ban .

The outcome reflects a conditional compromise : Indonesia asserts its regulatory authority and safeguards public safety, while Elon Musk’s X Corp regains access to a major digital market under supervision. The case also highlights growing global scrutiny of AI tools and deepfake technology , with regulators worldwide examining whether platforms have sufficient safeguards to prevent harmful content.

Indonesia’s conditional normalization of Grok underscores the country’s effort to balance innovation with public safety and regulatory oversight in an increasingly complex digital environment.