An MLA is quitting the social media site X amid a row over an artificial intelligence tool linked to the platform which has been used to digitally undress people. Cara Hunter – who was previously the victim of a fake pornographic video – said she could not “in good conscience” continue to post on the app. She said it had shown “complete negligence in protecting women and children online”. X, formerly known as Twitter, was bought by the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, in 2022.
However, it is at the centre of a growing controversy after its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok digitally undressed people without their consent when tagged beneath images posted on the platform. X has now limited the use of this image function to those who pay a monthly fee. Downing Street said the change was “insulting” to victims of sexual violence, with some MPs pledging to quit the platform.
I have been saying for years that politicians should quit social media, and that was before Twitter really turned into a toxic mess (Do politicians really need to be on social media?, 2021).
I repeat my advice to politicians and everyone else. Step away from social media. Go for a walk, have a pint with friends, read a book, do literally anything but engage in the rage cycle.
Managing Editor of Slugger O’Toole. I help to manage Slugger by taking care of the site as well as running our live events. My background is in business, marketing and IT. My politics tend towards middle-of-the-road pragmatism; I am not a member of any political party. When not stuck in front of a screen, I am a parkrun Run Director.
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