The Diocese of Southwark will no longer maintain a presence on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), following reports that X’s generative AI tool, Grok, is being used to generate non-consensual sexual images of children and adults for users.
Reflecting on the decision, the Bishop of Southwark, the Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, said: “Over the past year, we have reflected long and hard about the merits of maintaining a presence on X in the face of the rise of disinformation and harmful, extremist content on the platform – as well as the increasingly toxic nature of discussion in that space. Previously we judged that, on balance, it was best to seek to maintain a positive Christian presence in an often negative space.
“While many social media platforms are problematic in different ways, the news that X’s generative AI tool, Grok, is being used to generate sexual images of children and adults for users is a clear ‘red line’ for us as a diocese – and the sign that it’s time to leave X. The safety and wellbeing of others will always be our priority and we cannot stay in a space that permits such gross abuses of people’s privacy and data. While X has sought to make some assurances that the platform will comply with UK law, we have yet to see whether this will be implemented and how X will ensure the safety and privacy of those featured in content shared on the platform.
“Over the next few days, we will cease using all diocesan and Bishops’ accounts, along with Southwark Cathedral and the Southwark Diocesan Board of Education. We will however keep ownership of them to avoid others taking them over. We will instead focus our energies on our existing channels on other social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and BlueSky – seeking to be a positive Christian presence wherever we can.”
