NEDA Disables Harmful Chatbot Providing Dangerous Diet Tips.

The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) disabled its new helpline chatbot "Tessa" after it gave users with eating disorders advice about restricting calories and pinching their skin folds to measure fat. Eating disorders have risen exponentially since the beginning of the pandemic, and NEDA announced its decision to replace human helpline staff with the chatbot after staffers and volunteers moved to unionize. However, experts have cautioned against replacing the human element of such a vulnerable service.