Last week, we reported that Taylor Swift and the X platform were subject to a comprehensive “attack” by unauthorized persons. Using generative AI, they created images that had a strong sexual charge, and these took on a life of their own in a short time and reached tens of millions of people.
The perpetrators probably chose X because Elon Musk significantly scaled back the moderation team, and everyone treated it as a given. So it’s an open secret that the microblog has a problem with moderation, and not just because the businessman wants to give space to freedom of speech. It can be treated almost as a fact that X does not have enough resources to be able to provide full moderation and properly monitor the content that appears.
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In the past, the platform received a lot of criticism due to poorly functioning moderation solutions, but these were usually defended by saying that, in their opinion, the unconventional methods work properly. The EU did not agree with this either, which is why it has already launched an investigation once morest X. It is quite possible that this investigation will affect the current case in the future. The X team mightn’t handle the pornographic content spread regarding Taylor Swift, so they resorted to a more drastic method.
The company blocked searches for “Taylor Swift” and “Taylor Swift AI.” Now they are trying to eradicate all content generated by artificial intelligence. But the ban was also solved in a rather unique way, because although the microblog does not publish the posts with this title, and the most recent posts cannot be listed, the uploaded media files can still be viewed. In this case, this was precisely the point, as images of the AI-generated replica of the singer were shared on the platform. Also, searches for “Taylor AI Swift” would go through just fine. So… But at least they’re trying, maybe that can be appreciated.
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In terms of handling the current situation, X can record another significant loss of face, but it can be seen that this case can really initiate changes. Recent news has reported that the company wants to make changes with immediate effect. Bloomberg first reported that an all-new “reliability and security” office will be created in Austin, with at least 100 full-time employees.
The ground is already very hot under X’s feet, so he really needs to act on this matter. Not only is the EU investigating microblogging, but the United States also has an ongoing case aimed at more effectively dealing with content related to the sexual exploitation of children. Linda Yaccarino will attend a Senate hearing on January 31, where it is certain that the question of moderation will come up, among other things.
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The new security team will primarily focus on handling pornographic content depicting minors, but they will also be able to handle other content, so for example recordings created by generative AI may also come under their purview. Joe Benarroch, X’s head of business operations, told Bloomberg that the new moderation team will be able to help deal with hate speech and be mobilized in other areas and might grow in size over time.
This will be the first time in the last 1.5 years that Elon Musk hires security-focused people and builds a new team with this goal in mind. We hope that with this X will start towards a better future.
