MCMC To Take Legal Action Against X Over Failure To Ensure User Safety

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 13 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), in coordination with the Communications Ministry, is pursuing legal action against X Corp. (formerly known as Twitter) and xAI LLC for failing to ensure user safety in Malaysia in relation to the use of Grok.

In a statement today, MCMC said that solicitors had been appointed and legal proceedings would commence soon.

“MCMC has identified the misuse of Grok to generate and disseminate harmful content, including obscene, sexually explicit, indecent, grossly offensive, and non-consensual manipulated images.

“Content allegedly involving women and minors is of serious concern. Such conduct contravenes Malaysian law and undermines the entities’ stated safety commitments,” said MCMC.

It is understood that notices were issued to X Corp. and xAI LLC on Jan 3 and 8, requiring the removal of the offending content, but no remedial action has been taken.

According to MCMC, X Corp. and xAI LLC may be held liable notwithstanding that the content was generated by users.

“They retain control over Grok’s design, deployment, moderation mechanisms, and risk-mitigation measures. Liability cannot be disclaimed where systemic safeguards have failed.

“MCMC has taken note of X Corp. and xAI LLC’s failure to enforce their own policies and internal controls. This failure may have facilitated unlawful online activities within Malaysia,” the agency said.

The commission said it remained committed to upholding Malaysian law and protecting the public interest, stressing that all digital platforms operating in or affecting Malaysia must comply fully with applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

-- BERNAMA