GAA club says it will no longer be using X amid Grok AI images scandal
A GAA club says it will no longer be using X as the website continues to come under fire over images created by AI tool Grok on the social media platform.The Wolfe Tones GAA club in Meath stated on Thursday morning that it would no longer be posting on the website formerly known as Twitter, which is owned by Elon Musk."A Chairde, Please be advised that from this point on CLG Bhulf Tón na Mí will no longer be using this platform to promote our club activities. Go raibh maith agaibh," the club said in a tweet.The club did not reference Grok in its statement, but their decision comes as the Minister for Artificial Intelligence said images generated on X are in breach of the law.Niamh Smyth revealed she has yet to receive a response from the company after requesting a meeting.The Fianna Fáil TD was commenting following reports that users of the social media platform were utilising its AI tool, Grok, to create naked images of individuals, including children.Speaking on RTÉ Radio's Today With David McCullagh, she stated: "It is clear that within Irish law, child abuse images are absolutely illegal."And whether they are real images or computer-generated, which is what we're talking about here, it is a criminal offence to distribute them on platforms."So the law has been, as far as I'm concerned, the law has been broken here in Ireland."She confirmed there "absolutely would be" repercussions for X if it was discovered to be violating the law and said she was keen to meet with the Taoiseach to "discuss this further".The minister disclosed she had written to X on Wednesday, requesting a meeting, but had received no reply.She said she wished to emphasise the point "that this is not acceptable in Irish law, it's not acceptable in European law" and establish what safeguards they have in place and "how those safeguards are monitored and analysed".Regarding the prospect of additional legislation, Ms Smyth said she was awaiting feedback from the Attorney General's office as she believes the "online safety framework that we have in place" ensures "citizens are protected". She emphasised that "we are really very much now at a point" where these laws require proper enforcement.Ms Smyth explained the legislation stems from European regulations and, through the Digital Services Act, responsibility for major online platforms rests with the European Commission.She expressed confidence that Coimisiun na Mean, Ireland's independent media body, are "engaging with the European Commission to ensure that this is stopped".The public has a vital part to play in addressing the problem, Ms Smyth stressed, noting that reporting illegal content is "critically, critically important".Click here to sign up to our sport newsletter, bringing you the top stories and biggest headlines from Ireland and beyond.
