"Swift and coordinated action"

AI-Minister Niamh Smyth demands policy changes from X-administration in meeting with the social media platform

“Swift and coordinated action.” These were the demands of Niamh Smyth, Minister for AI and Digital Transformation in response to the serious concers about AI-generated harmful content on X, including non-consensual intimate images and child sexual abuse material.

On Friday, Niamh Smyth met with the X administration in their Dublin headquarters where she expressed her "serious dismay" at what has been facilitated on their platform. "I emphasised that the sophistication of safeguards must match the sophistication of the technology. I outlined the legal protections in place in Ireland, including Coco's Law, the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, and the Online Safety Code."

X subsequently informed her that corrective actions had been implemented and that Grok, as integrated on the X platform, had been disabled from removing or reducing clothing on individuals worldwide. "I welcomed these corrective actions but also sought assurance that this capability will not be reintroduced. I made clear that such activity will not be tolerated. Concerns remain regarding Grok as a standalone app, and this is something Government will examine further."

Vowing to continue to monitor the situation closely, the Minister said she was scheduled a follow-up meeting with X in the near future to ensure adequate and enduring protections remain in place. "I look forward to discussing this matter further with my colleagues from across Government on Monday."

Prior to this meeting, the Minister sought clarity from the Attorney General on what constituted illegal content under Irish and EU law. “Following this meeting I am confident that we have robust and effective legislation in place. Under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998, material depicting a person as a child engaged in real or simulated explicit activity, or focused for sexual purpose on genital areas, is illegal,” the Minister emphasised. “Coco’s Law criminalises sharing non consensual intimate images with intent to cause harm. The sharing of non consensual intimate images and any child sexual abuse material is illegal.”

Anyone concerned about images shared online, was urged to report it to An Garda Síochána and the Irish national reporting centre, Hotline.ie. Niamh Smyth also encouraged users to report illegal content to the online platform where they encountered it and report it Coimisiún na Meán.

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