X statement 'not worth paper it’s written on' says Kelly

Tipperary's Labour Party TD and Chairperson of the Oireachtas Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport Committee Alan Kelly has called for more robust legislation to deal with online platforms in the wake of the X Grok scandal.

Deputy Kelly told the Tribune he plans to question representatives from X directly next month.

“It is unbelievable that it has taken X as long as it has to make a statement regarding the use of its AI. To reproduce images in a sexual or nudified manner is an utter violation of a person’s right, it is appalling to hear the stories of those who have come forward to share their experience.

"It should not have happened, and it can never be allowed to happen again," the Portroe native said.

“There has been enormous backlash against it, an exodus of people from the platform and countries like Indonesia and Malaysia have moved to ban the platform.

"Labour is calling on the Minister to work now to strengthen the legislation currently in place to sexualised images and child pornography.

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“When it comes to sexualised or nudified images it’s clear that moderation alone simply will not work. AI tools that edit and produce such images should simply not be allowed.

“This scandal has shown us that the most need legislation to deal with this today and into the future. While X may finally have taken action, it’s only a matter of time before another platform develops similar technology.

"While there are laws in place like Coco’s Law, which the Labour Party was central in implementing, these laws may need to be revisited to protect children and all people against these images," the Tipperary TD said.

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“Next February 4th, I expect X to present to the Oireachtas Committee where we will put a series of questions to them to understand what they are doing to address this into the future.

"Ultimately there must be a legislative basis in place in Ireland to ensure nothing like this can ever happen again,” Deputy Kelly said.