The claim that Canada was planning to ban the social media network formally known as Twitter was based on a report that did not even confirm Canada was considering a ban.
Following a furious outrage cycle based on what appears to be a skewed reading of an article in the UK-based Telegraph, Canadian Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon has confirmed Canada is not considering banning X:
“Contrary to media reports, Canada is not considering a ban of X.”
A growing number of countries have become concerned about X in recent weeks, as the platform – in addition to having become a focal point for hateful rhetoric and propaganda narratives often promoted by Russia – has seen its AI photo editing tool be used to generate exploitative images.
This has caused a number of leaders to consider taking action. In the U.K., there has apparently been consideration of a ban on the platform if X does not remove the photo editing feature, and a recent Telegraph article noted that the UK was also discussing the issue with Canada and Australia. As the paper noted today, the “Telegraph revealed on Saturday that ministers were also seeking to rally like-minded countries around a crackdown, with Canada and Australia both said to share Sir Keir’s concerns.” However, the article did not say Canada is planning a ban on X.
Despite this, posts claiming Canada was considering or planning a ban on X spread rapidly on said platform Saturday evening, with many individuals – including some MPs – weighing in before any facts were established.
Now the Telegraph has a new article, titled “Starmer fails to get Canada’s backing over Musk AI row”. It’s a fair bet that that headline won’t go as viral as the incorrect outrage-driven posts did last night.
Spencer Fernando
If you would like to support my work, you can contribute through PayPal at the button below:
Alternatively, if you would like to support my work on an ongoing basis and gain access to exclusive content, you can subscribe for $6 a month or $72 a year.
Subscribe here.
I am 100% Independent. I don't take government media subsidies, and I never will. My work is funded entirely by readers — no grants, no strings, no obligations to anyone but you.
If you find value in my independent perspective, consider making a donation:
If you want to support my work on a monthly basis and access all of my long-form writing, you can subscribe to my Patreon for $20/month or $216/year.