Pull The Plug

14/08/2026

Uni students! This is your moment 🔌

If you're concerned about the impact of AI, are keen to start a student chapter of Pull The Plug or learn more about what you can do - then this event is for you. We're hosting our first UK wide students’ meeting on Tuesday, 25 Aug, 6–7:30pm.

We’ll be bringing together students across the country to discuss top pressing issues around AI and big tech, and to build a student-led strategy so that people, not corporations, decide the future of AI.

This is the next chapter as part of our event series on AI free spaces in universities, hope to see you there! 💛

Link to registration in the bio 🔗

13/08/2026

A dose of hopecore for you all as we draw towards the end of the week 💛

For anyone fresh to our movement, we're Pull The Plug - a group of ordinary people concerned about AI being in the wrong hands. We aren't pulling the plug on AI, but on Big Tech's undemocratic control over it.

Check out our linktree and our website to get involved with what we're up to!

Photography Credit - Canva Library:
1: Hey-Yunee
2: Senoka
3: Maximusnd Zahar
4: Feyza Yildirim
5: Gyro
6: Gemsyne

09/08/2026

You might have heard by now of Project Panama - a disturbing example of the sheer carelessness and corruption that Big Tech bring when handling pieces of our history and culture that simply do not belong to them.

Whilst a lot could be said about Anthropic’s “forever resource” library of digital books, and the destruction of their printed versions, one of the most concerning parts of this story is the legislative loopholes that enable Big Tech to get away by manipulating the small print. The justice system should work to protect us in the face of corporate corruption, not be flexible enough for them to slither their way past accountability.

Anthropic didn’t want the public to know about this, it is critical that we keep up the pressure and exposure on Big Tech and refuse to allow them the comfortable and convenient ride that they’re seeking.

07/08/2026

On Tuesday we went down to speak to some of the Brent locals protesting against Waymo's trial of autonomous vehicles on London's streets. People who attended the protest raised real concerns over economic impact and road safety (following reports of a Waymo vehicle ploughing through a police cordon in Harlesden.) The most alarming thing about Waymo, however, is the complete lack of community consultation or engagement. Whilst Silicon Valley Tech Giants feel the profits make their pockets heavier, local residents see only a loss of jobs and a fractured trust with national decision making bodies.

The Brent Green Party , along with the App Drivers and Couriers Union, are leading the Say No To Waymo campaign. Check out their pages to follow along with updates, let's get Waymo out of the UK.

06/08/2026

Residents from Wesley Estate aren't strangers to the devastating effects that data centres can have on local communities, as they have already had to undergo poor air quality, increased temperatures, constant drilling and noise as well as worsening dust pollution. Ealing Council's 2024 air-quality report showed that nitrogen dioxide readings across the NW10 area exceeded the World Health Organisation guidelines. Now they've taken to the streets to demand independent air quality monitoring as yet another data centre threatens Park Royal.

Demolition has now been scheduled at Frogmore Industrial Estate, but Kao Data has confirmed this is separate from their main planning application to build the data centre. They will hold a public consultation later this summer before submitting detailed plans - check out the link in our bio for further updates to this campaign .

The protest was attended by us, members of Ealing Friends of the Earth, and Parents for Future. Fourteen Green councillors across Ealing and Brent have also written formally to OPDC objecting to the demolition. Give the tagged accounts a follow to see how this campaign progresses!

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05/08/2026

Ed was able to attend the fantastic gig put on by Knots to fundraiser for Pull The Plug. A massive thank you to the organisers, crowd, community, crew and musicians who enabled this night to happen

The energy was absolutely unmatched and we massively encourage anyone and everyone to check out Knots' future gigs!

Thank you to Knots for giving us a platform to share our cause, and to the amazing audience who joined us in a groove afterwards!

04/08/2026

In what is being called a 'slap in the face' for democracy, the infamous Truman Brewery data centre has been given the go-ahead. This comes after local residents mobilised to form a wave of resistance to the plans, which had been put forward by Truman Estates.

Tower Hamlets council rejected the plans on the basis of concerns cited by the community such as housing and landmark legacy, but when Truman Estates appealed the decision, the power was taken out of local hands. This is yet another example of Big Tech's desires being prioritised above all else - even above democracy.

If a community makes a hard-line decision on something that will have a direct impact on their quality of life, that decision should be respected - not shrugged off as mere suggestions.

Build homes, not data centres. Save Brick Lane today.

04/08/2026

And this is exactly why things like a state sanctioned social media ban for under 16s only allows Big Tech to slip out of the grasp of accountability. We critically need reforms like the one below - forcing Big Tech to reform their own platforms and take responsibility for their own damage. Not scapegoat that responsibility onto teens as a pathetic attempt at slipping a Digital ID under the door without anyone noticing.

We noticed.

YouTube eating disorder recommendations cause real harm to real children.

In February, KGM testified at the landmark social media trials in Los Angeles that the toxic content she was recommended on YouTube led to body dysmorphia, anxiety, and depression.

Our research found that YouTube is still recommending harmful eating disorder content to girls including “thinspiration”, extreme calorie deficits and subliminal weight loss videos.

YouTube must take action to stop these videos from ever reaching vulnerable users. If you agree, add your name: https://act.counterhate.com/page/195148/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=fb_organic

04/08/2026

A loss for democracy.

The plans to build offices, a data centre, and homes near Brick Lane in east London have been approved by the government and Secretary of State.

The proposals, put forward by property owners Truman Estates and Zeloof LLP, would see three sites in and around Brick Lane redeveloped into offices at the Truman Brewery, a cinema, supermarket, market and 44 homes, of which six would be for social rent.

This is gentrification, social cleansing, and developments such as this one only plunge us deeper into the housing crisis.

This development will consume enough power for 15,000 homes and has completely ignored the needs and wants of the local council and campaigners.

The council unanimously rejected this planning application on 31 July 2025 and instead called for more housing.

The decision is not the end of the campaign: the Save Brick Lane coalition is seeking expert advice on how it might be challenged. They will be having a public meeting in the coming weeks so make sure to follow for updates.