Grok Expands Across Asia Amid Blocks | Generated by AI
Grok (from xAI) is widely available across most of Asia as of February 14, 2026, with access via grok.com, the dedicated Grok mobile apps (iOS/Android), and integrated into the X platform (for X Premium/Premium+ users in many cases). Unlike Claude, which has explicit country-level restrictions from Anthropic (e.g., blocked in China), Grok has a more global rollout but faces targeted government-imposed blocks in some Southeast Asian countries due to controversies over its image generation capabilities (particularly non-consensual/sexualized deepfakes or “undressing” features).
xAI does not publish a strict “supported countries” list like some AI providers, but availability is generally broad worldwide, with expansions over time (e.g., early limits in 2023–2024, then worldwide app release in early 2025). Access often requires an X account or subscription for full features, and free tiers exist in many places.
Key Availability in Major Asian Markets
- Singapore — Fully available and accessible (no reported blocks). Grok web access rolled out here early (e.g., among initial countries like US, India, etc.), with strong user adoption.
- India — Fully available and one of the largest markets. High download numbers (e.g., ~21 million Grok AI app downloads in 2025), early inclusion in rollouts, and no nationwide block (though some regulatory scrutiny over content exists, similar to global probes).
- Japan — Available with no reported restrictions or bans. High engagement reported in global stats.
- South Korea — Available and accessible, with growing usage (no blocks mentioned).
- Other supported/accessible Asian countries — Includes Philippines (early rollout, though later ban threats/actions), Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia (pre-ban high access), Indonesia (pre-ban), Saudi Arabia, UAE, and many others in South/Southeast/West Asia. Broader Asia-Pacific access is common via apps and web.
Restricted or Blocked in Parts of Asia
- Mainland China — Effectively unavailable/blocked (similar to many Western AI tools due to Great Firewall, regulatory restrictions on foreign AI, and no official xAI support/rollout in the region). No direct evidence of geoblocking by xAI, but practical access is restricted.
- Hong Kong/Macau — Likely limited or blocked in practice (aligned with mainland policies).
- Southeast Asia blocks (due to 2026 controversies):
- Indonesia — Temporarily blocked in January 2026 over explicit/non-consensual image generation; later lifted conditionally (as of early February 2026) but remains under strict government supervision/monitoring.
- Malaysia — Temporary restriction/block ordered in January 2026 for similar reasons (misuse for obscene content); enforcement is “lightweight” in some reports (e.g., bypassable via VPN/DNS tweaks), and Grok confirmed it’s “still here” in responses.
- Philippines — Announced plans to block in January 2026 (as part of spreading Southeast Asia restrictions); status may be active or partial.
- These blocks stem from government actions (e.g., communications regulators) rather than xAI self-restrictions, often tied to concerns over AI-generated explicit/deepfake content involving real people (especially minors/women). xAI responded by implementing geoblocking for certain features (e.g., limiting image editing of real people in revealing clothing where illegal) and restricting advanced image tools to paid users in affected areas.
Additional Notes
- Adoption Trends — Asia shows strong usage (e.g., India leading in app downloads, high engagement in Japan/South Korea/Singapore). Grok’s “maximally truthful” and uncensored style appeals in many markets, but it has sparked backlash leading to the Southeast Asia actions.
- Bypasses — In blocked areas, users often access via VPNs, though this varies by enforcement strength.
- Enterprise/API — Via xAI API, availability uses global/regional endpoints with high reach, though some models may vary by region.
For the absolute latest status in your location, try accessing grok.com or the app directly, or check xAI’s site (x.ai) / X announcements, as situations evolve quickly (e.g., Indonesia’s conditional lift). Overall, Grok is far more broadly available in Asia than restricted AIs like Claude, except in China and the handful of Southeast Asian spots with active government interventions.