One of the UK's leading conservation charities has taken the drastic step of suspending its activity on the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, citing serious safeguarding concerns linked to the site's artificial intelligence tools.
Charity Cites "Safeguarding Risk" from AI Tool
The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) announced on Monday, January 12, 2026, that it was locking down its organisational account, which had amassed 407,000 followers. In a final statement posted before making the account private, the charity explained its decision was a direct response to reports about X's integrated AI chatbot, Grok.
The RSPB stated it was acting due to concerns that Grok could be used to generate non-consensual and inappropriate imagery of real people. The charity concluded that maintaining a public profile on the platform "would pose a potential safeguarding risk to our staff, volunteers and supporters."
A "Foreseeable Future" Without Posts on X
While the account will remain in a private state for potential future use, the organisation was clear about its immediate plans. "We'd like to keep this account in place in case we need it in the future, but don't plan to post for the foreseeable future," the statement read.
The charity expressed gratitude to its online community before directing supporters to its active profiles on other social networks. A spokesperson listed Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky, and LinkedIn as alternative channels. They also emphasised the charity's physical presence, noting its work continues daily at over 200 nature reserves across the UK.
Growing Scrutiny on Grok and Platform Safety
The RSPB's move comes amid escalating scrutiny of the capabilities and misuse of the Grok AI tool, which was launched by X's owner, Elon Musk, in November 2023. The tool, integrated directly into the X platform, allows users to generate images based on prompts, raising alarms about the creation of harmful content.
This situation follows reports that prompted the UK regulator, Ofcom, to make "urgent contact" with X regarding concerns that users were exploiting Grok to produce sexualised images of individuals, including children. The controversy has also seen public figures, such as television personality Maya Jama, publicly instructing the AI not to use her image without consent.
The RSPB's decisive action highlights a growing ethical dilemma for organisations and individuals navigating social media platforms that are rapidly integrating generative AI. One supporter reacted online, stating the move might prompt them to also seek alternative platforms to follow the content they value.
