15th January 2026
The Minister with special responsibility for Trade Promotion, AI and Digital Transformation, Niamh Smyth said:
“Yesterday I met with Coimisiún na Meán to address serious concerns about AI-generated harmful content on X, including non-consensual intimate images and child sexual abuse material. I have urged swift, coordinated action with the EU Commission, including a formal investigation and interim measures to protect citizens across all 27 member states. The protection of the most vulnerable cannot wait. The EU Commission have taken investigative steps in relation to X and its obligations under the DSA, and will now also carefully assess the changes to Grok that X has announced, to ensure they effectively protect citizens in the EU.
“This afternoon I met with the Attorney General to seek clarity on what constitutes illegal content under Irish and EU law and 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. 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.
“Under existing regulation, Coimisiún na Meán leads on online safety and platform duties as Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator; An Garda Síochána investigates criminal offences; the Data Protection Commission oversees compliance with GDPR and privacy law; and the European Commission enforces the Digital Services Act in cooperation with Coimisiún na Meán. I will continue to engage with all relevant stakeholders. If anyone is concerned about images shared online, they should report it to An Garda Síochána. Reports can also be made to the Irish national reporting centre, Hotline.ie. I would also encourage users to report illegal content to the online platform there they encountered it and to Coimisiún na Meán.
“I will meet with X tomorrow to discuss the statement they have issued today in response to this matter.”
ENDS
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