X Suspends Account After 12 Deepfake Posts Targeted Chinese Activist Apple Peiqing Ni
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jun 10
X Suspends Account After 12 Deepfake Posts Targeted Chinese Activist Apple Peiqing Ni
1 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jun 10
Summary
Hours after a Guardian inquiry, X suspended an account that had posted 12 deepfake images and videos falsely depicting UK-based Chinese activist Apple Peiqing Ni as a drug user and sexually promiscuous.
X had earlier rejected Ni’s reports, with automated systems and follow-up support responses saying the tagged posts did not violate harassment or violent-speech rules despite policies against malicious targeting meant to humiliate or degrade users.
Ni, 27, said the abuse began after she publicized a June 4 Tiananmen massacre commemoration in south London; one post also falsely celebrated her being beaten, apparently echoing a March attack on another activist at her Trafalgar Square sit-in.
The case adds to scrutiny of X’s moderation systems in the UK, where Ofcom last month announced a deal with the platform to review suspected illegal hate and terror content within 24 hours.