The government is set to restore access to Grok AI in the Philippines after its developer agreed to comply with local cybersecurity and content safety requirements.
The Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center – CICC announced Tuesday that it will lift the nationwide ban on the artificial intelligence tool following negotiations with its developer, xAI.
CICC Undersecretary Renato Aboy Paraiso said the decision followed xAI’s commitment to reconfigure Grok AI for the Philippine market. The changes include removing image and content manipulation features linked to deepfake creation and blocking all forms of pornographic material, particularly content involving minors.
The ban was imposed on January 16 after the Department of Information and Communications Technology – DICT and the CICC flagged the platform for its ability to generate nonconsensual illicit deepfakes and sexually explicit content. Acting on the request, the National Telecommunications Commission ordered internet providers to block access nationwide within 24 hours.
Paraiso said xAI has assured regulators that Grok AI will no longer support content manipulation once access is restored. He added that the CICC will continue monitoring the platform to ensure sustained compliance with Philippine laws and regulations.
Peanut Gallery Media Network persistently raised concerns over the scope of the ban, arguing that while the risks identified by authorities were legitimate, a blanket shutdown punished responsible users alongside bad actors. PGMN likened the move to banning all cars because of a single reckless driver, stressing that enforcement should focus on misuse rather than disabling the technology itself. The network said it understood the urgency behind the government’s action to protect women and minors, but maintained that targeted safeguards and strict oversight offered a more proportionate response than a total ban.
The issue gained wider public attention following reporting and commentary by Ann Cuisia, the first tech anchor of Peanut Gallery Media Network, who examined the risks posed by generative AI tools, including deepfakes and online exploitation, while calling for regulation that protects users without stifling innovation.
The CICC and xAI are expected to hold a formal meeting to finalize the conditions for the platform’s return.
The agency reiterated its commitment to protecting the country’s cyberspace and enforcing safeguards against online abuse and exploitation.
