Adele Walton

United Kingdom

Author of Logging Off: The Human Cost of Our Digital World 📕 Journalist and Online Safety Campaigner | co-founder Logging Off Club

Articles

Logging Off: The Human Cost of Our Digital World

1 month ago | uk.bookshop.org | Promoting Books |Aye-Aye Books |Adele Walton

'You won't look at your screens in the same way after reading this book' Grace Blakeley, author of VULTURE CAPITALISM 'Logging Off is a life-saving book' Mikaela Loach, author of IT'S NOT THAT RADICAL'A harrowing but important read' Carole CadwalladrWe live in a digital world. In the 30 years since we've been online, we've created connections, crossed boundaries and discovered new worlds. We have done things generations before us could never have imagined. But at what cost?
Meta settles lawsuit over surveillance business model

1 month ago | computerweekly.com | Adele Walton

Meta has agreed for the first time to stop using the personal data of a specific individual for targeted advertising, as part of a negotiated settlement with human rights campaigner Tanya O’Carroll. Launched in November 2022, O’Carroll’s lawsuit alleged the technology conglomerate was ignoring her legal right to object to the processing and continued use of her personal data for targeted advertising on its Facebook service.
Brianna Ghey's mother, Esther Ghey: ‘I’ve learnt so much about the horrors of the online world since her death’

2 months ago | glamourmagazine.co.uk | Adele Walton

This article references disordered eating, self-harm, and transphobia. In 2023, Brianna Ghey was stabbed to death by two fellow pupils. Her mother, Esther Ghey, is telling her story of campaigning for change in an honest and moving ITV documentary, Brianna: A Mother’s Story. After her daughter, Brianna, was lured to a park and murdered in 2023 by two teenagers from her hometown in Warrington, Esther became an online safety campaigner almost overnight.
Adolescence is a Timely Wake-Up Call on Toxic Masculinity and Online Radicalisation

2 months ago | nakedpolitics.co.uk | Adele Walton

March 19, 2025 4 min read Nasra AyubI always enjoy a good thriller drama from Netflix, especially when an actor whose work I admire is involved both on and off-screen. That’s why I was eager to watch Adolescence, the new hit series co-created by the brilliant Stephen Graham. The show follows Jamie, a 13-year-old boy accused of murdering a female classmate.
EU law could usher in transformative change to digital ecosystems

Jan 28, 2025 | computerweekly.com | Adele Walton

An ambitious digital future: breaking up Big Tech Some believe the DFA could potentially break up the monopolies within the tech industry seen across some of the Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs), which the DSA defines as platforms or search engines that have more than 45 million users per month in the EU. Instead, they advocate for a digital ecosystem that allows independent, third-party content curation and moderation services.
The reason I knew I wouldn't get the job during the interview

Nov 22, 2024 | metro.co.uk | Adele Walton

Glancing at the timer in the corner of the screen, then back to the question, I felt myself start to panic. I had just 30 seconds left to answer and then we would move on. The trouble was, I didn't understand the question and there was no one around to ask. You might be picturing that I was doing a timed puzzle, or something frivolous and not worth getting worried about. But I was actually doing an interview for a job I really wanted - and all that stood between me and it was an AI bot.
Assisted Dying: Great In Principle, But In This Economy?

Nov 22, 2024 | nakedpolitics.co.uk | Adele Walton

November 22, 2024 4 min read The Bill has gained support from across the political spectrum, but how empowering is it in action? Dayna LathamThe Prime Minister has promised a free vote on the latest iteration of an Assisted Dying Bill, brought to the House of Commons via a Private Members Bill. Starmer has emphasised that there is no pressure on MPs to vote one way or another.
Islamophobic governments have a new weapon: Artificial intelligence and algorithms are the new surveillance state

Nov 12, 2024 | shado-mag.com | Adele Walton |Heedayah Lockman |George Monbiot |Angela Saini

In today’s digital age, most decision-making processes are left to the hands of computers and artificial intelligence. From bosses to teachers to doctors, those in positions of power routinely use digital tools to reduce their work and speed things up. But in the hands of authoritarian governments, this increasing efficiency is being weaponised against vulnerable populations.
Off White: The Truth About Antisemistism: Q&A with author and journalist Rachel Shabi

Nov 8, 2024 | nakedpolitics.co.uk | Adele Walton

November 08, 2024 7 min read Today, we hear a lot about antisemitism. It’s been discussed in relation to party politics here in the UK and has been increasingly referred to during the Israeli military attacks on Gaza, The West Bank and Lebanon abroad. There’s lots of discourse on the topic, but often it feels confusing, empty, one dimensional, shallow, said in bad faith or a divisive wedge that obfuscates rather than sheds much light on this centuries old prejudice.
Kenyan workers win High Court appeal to take Meta to trial

Oct 23, 2024 | computerweekly.com | Adele Walton

Despite the company arguing that Kenyan courts have no jurisdiction over an American company, the Nairobi High Court has ruled that Meta must face more than 180 content moderators and data labellers in court over allegedly poor working conditions, negative mental health impacts, and loss of pay By Adele Walton Published: 24 Oct 2024 In September 2024, the Nairobi Court of Appeal ruled that two cases brought by 185 former Facebook and Instagram content moderators against Meta – one over...