AI-Generated Sexual Abuse Images on X Spark Political Row in Ireland
X's Grok AI tool reportedly enabled generation and spread of child sexual abuse material and non-consensual intimate images. The Irish Government faced parliamentary criticism over its response, while the European Commission and Irish regulators opened investigations. X allegedly misled the Government about disabling the feature, which remained accessible via VPN.
What happened
X's Grok AI tool enabled users to generate and disseminate child sexual abuse material and non-consensual intimate images of adults on the platform. X told the Irish Government, following a meeting with AI Minister Niamh Smyth, that the ability to remove clothing through Grok had been disabled, but the feature remained accessible in Ireland via VPN.
Reported impact
TD Paul Murphy stated that X had been turned into a 'machine for the mass production of child sexual abuse imagery and image-based sexual abuse of women'. The Government's An Garda Síochána reported investigating 200 complaints of material indicative of child sexual abuse material.
Index analysis
Image-based sexual abuse, including through deepfakes, was made a criminal offence in Ireland six years prior. The European Commission is investigating X under the Digital Services Act, with Coimisiún na Meán collaborating under the Online Safety Code but choosing not to open its own investigation.
Governance controls
The Taoiseach stated all members of the Dáil were united in pursuing those who generate or disseminate child sexual abuse material and cited the 1998 Child Trafficking and Pornography Act. Gardaí and Irish prosecutors were reported to be investigating the matter, with 200 lines of inquiry underway.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.