Regulator demands Elon Musk’s X explain lack of age controls on pornographic content

Coimisiún na Meán said it had concerns about X’s compliance, particularly given platforms had a nine-month lead-in time. File picture

Ireland’s media regulator has given Elon Musk-owned X until Friday to explain why it hasn’t implemented age controls to watch pornography on the social media platform.

Coimisiún na Meán has said it will take “further action” if it finds evidence that X is not complying with its obligations to keep children safe online.

“We expect platforms to comply with their legal obligations,” the regulator said. “Non-compliance is a serious matter which can lead to sanctions, including significant financial penalties.” 

Companies that breach these obligations could face fines of up to €20m or 10% of its annual turnover, whichever is greater.

On Monday, Part B of Coimisiún na Meán’s Online Safety Code came into force. This part of the code involves video-sharing platforms under the Irish regulator’s remit to enforce effective ways of ensuring someone is over age to view adult content on their platform.

As well as X, other sites subject to these rules include Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Coimisiún na Meán has already written to X expressing concerns on how it is adhering to Part A of the code.

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On Wednesday, it again said it had concerns about X’s compliance, particularly given platforms had a nine-month lead-in time.

“Under Part B of the Code, video-sharing platforms that allow pornography must use effective age assurance to ensure that children are not normally able to access it," it said.

“Based on an initial review of the X platform, we cannot see evidence of measures taken to comply with this age assurance requirement. We have further concerns about X’s compliance with other parts of the Code, including but not limited to, the availability of parental controls.” 

The regulator added that it would continue to review all the platforms under its remit and take enforcement action if necessary.