Elon Musk’s social-media platform, X, is facing backlash from Taylor Swift fans over the dissemination of graphic AI-generated images depicting the pop superstar. Swifties, as they are known, have expressed their anger on the platform after one such image, uploaded by a verified user, gained significant traction, amassing over 45 million views and 24,000 reposts before being removed 17 hours later, according to reports from The Verge.
Swifties’ Reaction
Fans of Taylor Swift have flooded X with videos of the singer’s performances and calls to trend “protect Taylor Swift” hashtags, demonstrating their outrage at the circulation of these explicit images.
X’s Response
X acknowledged the situation through a post from its “Safety” account, stating its commitment to removing non-consensual nudity images and taking action against accounts responsible for posting them. However, despite these efforts, some images continue to circulate on the platform.
Source of the Images
Reports indicate that the graphic images originated from a channel on the messaging app Telegram dedicated to using AI to create abusive images of women. Concerns have been raised about the platform’s content moderation, especially since Musk’s takeover in 2022, which led to a reduction in the moderation team’s capacity.
Concerns and Implications
The proliferation of AI image generators has raised concerns about the creation of deepfake naked images, potentially exploiting individuals without their consent. Instances of AI-generated explicit images circulating among schoolchildren and sparking national outrage highlight the seriousness of the issue.
X’s Silence
Despite requests for comment, X has not responded to inquiries from Business Insider, leaving questions about its approach to content moderation and handling of sensitive material unanswered.
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