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CICC to lift access ban on Grok AI after xAI commits to safety measures
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By TechWatch PH
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) announced on Tuesday, January 21, that it will lift the nationwide access ban on Grok AI following what it described as successful negotiations with the tool’s developer, xAI.
CICC Undersecretary Renato “Aboy” Paraiso said the decision comes after xAI formally reached out to Philippine authorities and pledged to implement specific safety changes to address serious concerns raised earlier this month.
Following the request from government agencies, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) moved swiftly, blocking access to the AI tool nationwide within 24 hours.
According to the CICC, xAI has committed to modifying Grok AI specifically for the Philippine market. These changes include removing image and content manipulation features that enabled deepfake creation, as well as the total exclusion of pornographic content, particularly child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
“The Grok AI app has reached out to us and stated that its platform will no longer use any content manipulation. Even after lifting the ban, the CICC will still closely monitor the app to ensure they comply with the rules and regulations in our country,” Paraiso said.
Despite the lifting of the ban, the CICC said oversight will remain in place to ensure continued compliance with Philippine laws and established safety protocols.
The agency added that a formal meeting between the CICC and xAI is expected to take place to discuss the resumption of Grok AI’s operations in the country.
The CICC reiterated that it remains firm in its mandate to protect the Philippines’ cyberspace, stressing that enforcement actions against digital platforms will continue whenever public safety, particularly the protection of women and children, is at risk.
The ban was imposed on January 16 after the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the CICC flagged Grok AI for its ability to generate “nonconsensual illicit deepfakes” and sexually explicit content, which authorities said posed a significant risk to women and minors.
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DICT bans Grok app in PH, but AI chatbot remains accessible via X
The ban was implemented the day after DICT Secretary Henry Aguda called on January 15 for blocking access to Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok in the Philippines amid concerns over its use in generating sexually explicit and non-consensual deepfake content.
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