The Taoiseach has stated that X is set to disable the Grok feature enabling the editing of intimate images across its social media platform on a global scale, reports RTE.
Micheál Martin informed reporters in Wexford that the company conveyed this decision to the Minister of State with responsibility for AI, Niamh Smyth, during an earlier meeting.
He clarified that the entire AI application is not being removed by the company, but only the image editing function within Grok on the X platform, reports RTE.
In a statement released following the meeting, Minister Smyth noted that she informed X executives the strength of safeguards must correspond to the advancement 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, reports RTE.
“X informed me that corrective actions have now been implemented and that Grok, as integrated on the X platform, has 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”, reports RTE.
She further mentioned that concerns persist about Grok as an independent application, and this matter will receive additional scrutiny from the Government.
A subsequent meeting with X is scheduled for the near future, and Ms Smyth will keep monitoring developments closely, she added, reports RTE.
Yesterday, X announced it would “geoblock” the capacity for all Grok and X users to generate images of individuals in “bikinis, underwear, and similar attire” in regions where such practices are considered unlawful.
This step comes in response to extensive public anger over capabilities that permitted users to digitally remove clothing from people’s images, reports RTE.
Labour TD Alan Kelly confirmed yesterday that X has received an invitation to appear before the Oireachtas Committee on Media on 4 February.
When questioned about the Taoiseach and Government persisting in their use of the X platform, Mr Martin explained they encounter numerous difficulties with various platforms at different times over diverse matters and they are “keeping it under review”.
He described the creation of child sex abuse material as shocking and highlighted additional issues affecting the health and wellbeing of children that are “very problematic”, reports RTE.
“In my view in terms of child pornography or intimate images pertaining to children, there has to be absolute enforcement of the law, and X should be pursued in respect of that.”
He stated he would not opt for a “knee jerk reaction” regarding the use of X, as similar problems could arise on other platforms, but added “at the same time we are keeping it under review”, reports RTE.
Mr Martin observed that the Government, the European Commission, and Coimisiún na Meán engage with different platforms whenever challenges emerge, and many of them prove responsive.
“X has not been as responsive as others over previous issues,” he said.
Asked whether current laws on child sexual abuse material and intimate images apply solely to individuals, he replied “they can also apply to the platforms”, reports RTE.
He also referred to the billions of euro in penalties imposed on platforms in recent years.
Earlier, Minister for Communications and Media Patrick O’Donovan rejected suggestions that the Government is adopting a lenient stance toward regulating Grok and the AI creation of sexualised images of women and children, reports RTE.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Today with David McCullagh, he expressed that he found such claims offensive.
“That’s rubbish, to be quite honest about it,” he said, reports RTE.
“I take offence to that. I don’t think that anybody sitting around the Cabinet table would want to have any suggestion that there’s a lax attitude being taken towards the abuse of children.
“I think that that’s utter rubbish,” he added, reports RTE.
Minister O’Donovan confirmed that the media regulator Coimisiún na Meán will hold discussions with the European Commission today concerning the response to AI-generated sexualised images.
The Limerick TD emphasised that it is not his position as minister to direct the regulator on its actions, reports RTE.
“The existing law allows for action to be taken by An Garda SÃochána and Coimisiún na Meán,” he said.
He explained there is cooperation between the regulator and gardaÃ, where the regulator refers any material “that is in the criminal field” to An Garda SÃochána for investigation, reports RTE.
“That is the appropriate course of action and ultimately this will play out in the courts,” he added.
Meanwhile, Labour TD Marie Sherlock advocated for prohibiting the download of X’s AI platform Grok from mobile app stores, labelling X as a “despicable place”.
Also appearing on Today with David McCullagh, the Dublin Central deputy argued that action is necessary because the Government “is always behind the curve” and investigations require time to conclude, reports RTE.
Ms Sherlock described the existing EU AI legislation in place here as “very weak” and in need of revision, noting there are methods to circumvent the geo-block applied to the app in Ireland.
“As a very simple initiative this week, my colleague Alan Kelly was saying, the Government needs to move now to actually block the use of Grok in this country.
“To move block the app store actually selling or facilitating the download of the Grok app.”
Minister Smyth met with the Attorney General yesterday to confirm there were no legal gaps enabling X or any other platform to permit AI tools that undress images of real individuals, reports RTE.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Six One, Ms Smyth explained the aim of her discussion with the AG was to “give myself and the Government absolute confidence in the fact that the laws that we have in place here in Ireland do protect our citizens in every way possible”.
Meanwhile, a senior counsel expert in media, data protection, and commercial law stressed the importance of the European Commission collaborating with Coimisiún na Meán to implement EU-wide measures against AI applications that produce sexually explicit images.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Ronan Lupton indicated this collaborative method would ensure actions are thorough instead of forming “a patchwork” of varying approaches throughout the EU, reports RTE.
Mr Lupton suggested the optimal result would involve Coimisiún na Meán—particularly the Internet Safety Commissioner and the Digital Services Content Commissioner—working in close partnership with the European Commission.
Mr Lupton called for interim steps to prohibit Grok from permitting nudification and from enabling content creation by users “who are effectively acting nefariously”.
He added that producing explicit sexual images of people without consent contravenes the law.
However, authorities would need to obtain evidence to pursue prosecutions, he noted, while pointing out that “civil remedies” could also address the problem, reports RTE.
Mr Lupton observed that additional AI applications capable of generating sexually explicit images might also violate the law.
“We have a category of position which is lawful but awful, and that may be the content is subject to perhaps standards which may not breach the law fully, but ultimately if it does things which fundamentally gives rise to harassment or other forms of criminal offence, then it’s breaking the law,” reports RTE.
He further shared his perspective that the social media platform X has been “in decay” since its acquisition by Elon Musk and that the images produced by Grok AI constitute “deleterious content and bad for society”, reports RTE.
“I’m not saying that as someone who believes that we should take a sledgehammer to X or any other platform for that matter. Freedom of expression is a very important right,” he said, reports RTE.
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