Sheffield MP calls on government to stop using social media site X amidst AI child abuse scandal
A local MP has called on the government to cease using controversial social media site X after scandals over its facilitation of child abuse.
The social media website formerly known as Twitter has been placed into hot water recently following reports that an affiliated AI has generated child abuse content.
Grok, a virtual assistant on X, responds to tweets with generated content intended to answer users’ questions.
However, users have recently been using the AI to create undressed pictures of women, allegedly in some cases without their consent, with reports suggesting that the feature has also been used to create sexualised images of children.
In response to this ongoing scandal, Sheffield Heeley MP Louise Haigh has left the site, saying that it is ‘unconscionable’ to use it any further.
She added: “I continued to maintain an account and occasionally post because a critical mass of people, including the government and journalists who we need to communicate with as MPs, remained on the site.”
But she said the concerns around child sexual abuse content means “it is unconscionable to use the site for another minute”.
“I call on my party and my government to remove themselves entirely from X and communicate with the public where they actually participate online and can be protected from such illegality.”
The UK’s independent communications regulator Ofcom recently announced that they would be undertaking a full investigation into the matter.
In a post on X published on January 5, they said they have ‘made urgent contact’ with the company’s management.
“Based on their response we will undertake a swift assessment to determine whether there are potential compliance issues that warrant investigation,” they continued.
Elon Musk, X CEO, previously posted: “Anyone using Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content.”