Taoiseach Micheál Martin has labelled accounts of the Grok AI tool being utilised to generate sexually explicit images of both adults and children on the social media platform X as “unacceptable” and “shocking”.
The media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, has stated that it is in discussions with the European Commission regarding worries that Elon Musk’s AI chatbot is replying to user requests to digitally remove clothing from photographs of individuals, including minors, for subsequent posting on X, reports RTE.
“It’s a matter we’ll be continuing to raise with Coimisiún na Meán and the (European) Commission,” Mr Martin said from Beijing, where he is holding trade talks with the Chinese Prime Minister.
“Some of this could be in breach of existing laws in any event, so our authorities need to examine this very carefully and be very clear in protecting children in particular and protecting innocent people,” he added, reports RTE.
Minister for Finance and Tánaiste Simon Harris said that sharing of intimate images “was illegal and it is a crime”.
He said it was no longer a situation where the internet is “self policing”, reports RTE.
Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said the sharing of the images was “shocking”.
Rape Crisis Ireland (RCI) has called for a total ban on AI-based functions that can produce sexual images of children and adults, reports RTE.
It has called on the Government to make it illegal to possess, create or distribute AI tools that can generate deepfake ‘nudification’ images.
“We would like to remind the Irish public that the sharing online of non-consensual sexual images, including deepfakes, is a crime under Irish law,” said RCI’s Executive Director Dr Clíona Saidléar.
“Anyone generating and sharing a non-consensual image is committing a crime.
“Anyone who has been affected by online deepfake abuse can report it to the gardaí or hotline.ie and can reach out to receive support from their local rape crisis centre,” Dr Saidléar said, reports RTE.
X said it takes action against illegal content on its platform, including Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), by removing it, permanently suspending accounts, and working with local governments and law enforcement as necessary.
“Anyone using or prompting Grok to make illegal content will suffer the same consequences as if they upload illegal content,” the company said in a post on X, reports RTE.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties and Digital Rights Ireland have written to Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly calling on An Garda Síochána to urgently investigate X under the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1988.
The letter states that, given the gravity of the situation and the great level of distress and public disquiet it is causing, “we believe An Garda Síochána must exercise its powers urgently to address this issue”, reports RTE.
“At the same time, we believe it is critical for An Garda Síochána to reassure the public that this deeply disturbing crime is being investigated and prosecuted,” the letter states.
Asked about the letter, a spokesperson for An Garda Síochána said it does not comment on named entities, reports RTE.
They added that they are acutely aware of the proliferation of AI-generated online material and that they have highlighted this threat in recent announcements.
“An Garda Síochána would continue to appeal to all members of the public to independently verify any content that they are viewing or reading on social media and/ or messaging apps,” the spokesperson said.
UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said X must urgently deal with Grok being used to create sexualised deepfake images.
Ms Kendall said: “What we have been seeing online in recent days has been absolutely appalling, and unacceptable in decent society.
“No one should have to go through the ordeal of seeing intimate deepfakes of themselves online.
“We cannot and will not allow the proliferation of these demeaning and degrading images, which are disproportionately aimed at women and girls.
“X needs to deal with this urgently.”, reports RTE.
‘This is illegal content’
Digital Services Commissioner with Coimisiún na Meán, John Evans said there are a number of things people can do if they are concerned about an image they see online.
Speaking to RTÉ’s News at One he said: “What I would be saying to people, and particularly if they’re concerned about an image online that they see of themselves that they want to get down, is contact Hotline.ie. Next step is the gardaí, because this is illegal content and to help with the regulation of this area which we have a very important role in, I would also encourage people to get in touch with our contact centre.
“What the platforms are supposed to do, and when they become aware of that content on their services, is to take it down. They become aware of the content by consumers flagging it, so it’s important to contact the service provider that you’ve seen this content and we’ve opened up a number of cases recently which look at how well those mechanisms are working on the platforms themselves.”, reports RTE.
Mr Evans said Coimisiún na Meán share the responsibility for regulating the very large online platforms with the European Commission.
“We would have, responsibility for those parts of the regulation that concern how the complaints functions are working,” he said.
“The European Commission has a very central role here when it comes to risk identification and risk management of their service. If their service presents a risk, for example in this case, the proliferation online of child sexual abuse material or non-consensual image sharing, then they’re supposed to mitigate that risk. If they don’t do that adequately, then they could fall foul of the Digital Services Act, which can involve very large fines.
“At a domestic level, non-consensual image sharing is covered by Coco’s law, and CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material) is covered by relevant legislation as well. If individuals are generating or sharing that material and that could fall foul of the law. And that’s also why we’re talking to the gardaí about this.”, reports RTE.
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