Story perspectives
UK vape-ban consultation rejects 90,835 bot replies
By Drooid · · How we work
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Story summary
- UK Department of Health and Social Care excluded 90,835 AI-generated replies from the vape-ban consultation.
- The consultation attracted 118,756 replies, with 76% flagged as bot submissions.
- Researchers Dr Nason Maani and Prof Anna Gilmore reported 79.6% of replies supported restrictions after bot removal.
- Caroline Cerny of Action on Smoking and Health called the bot swamping concerning.
- The Department said its controls removed the fake responses and it will stay vigilant.