New Brunswick government quits Elon Musk’s X over safety concerns

Investing.com -- New Brunswick has joined a growing list of public institutions distancing themselves from X, the social media platform owned by billionaire Elon Musk. Premier Susan Holt announced on Thursday that the provincial government will cease using the service for its routine official communications.

The decision follows mounting international scrutiny regarding the platform’s content moderation policies and its handling of artificial intelligence. Officials cited "reports of harmful content and inadequate safeguards" as primary drivers for the departure from the site.

The premier noted that the shift was necessitated by a fundamental breakdown in the relationship between the platform and public interest. Holt stated, "We recognize that the platform’s recent history, including reports of harmful content and inadequate safeguards, has eroded trust that it can be used in a way that aligns with our values and obligations to New Brunswickers."

Concerns have intensified recently as global regulators investigate X and its parent company, xAI, over the misuse of the Grok chatbot. These probes focus on the generation of non-consensual sexualized imagery, which has raised significant alarms regarding user safety and corporate ethics.

The provincial government emphasized its duty to maintain a digital environment that prioritizes the protection of its most vulnerable citizens. Holt remarked, "Protecting the safety and well-being of young people is a core responsibility of the government."

New Brunswickers seeking official updates are being redirected to alternative digital channels, including Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky. This strategic pivot reflects a broader trend of government agencies reassessing their reliance on X.

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