Media minister in tense exchange over Grok controversy blame game

During a tense back and forth between the Fine Gael TD and the media, Patrick O’Donovan denied that he was letting X off the hook but stated that Coimisiún na Meán is the regulator

Media Minister Patrick O'Donovan. File picture: Arthur Ellis

Media minister Patrick O’Donovan has refused to lay blame for the Grok controversy at the feet of X as he stated that Coimisiún na Meán, gardaí and the public all have roles to play.

During a tense back and forth between the Fine Gael TD and the media, Mr O’Donovan denied that he was letting X off the hook but stated that Coimisiún na Meán is the regulator.

As minister for responsibility for the media regulator, Mr O’Donovan insisted that he could not intervene in its work.

X has been widely criticised in recent weeks as its artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot Grok unveiled a new feature that permitted users to edit images. Some users have used this tool to undress women and children.

In response, X turned off the editing feature for users who do not pay a subscription fee.

Mr O’Donovan was criticised last week for telling Virgin Media News at the Stripe Young Scientist that there had to be “individual responsibility”. He also stated that there was “responsibility for Grok”, the regulator and the State.

Speaking at the National Concert Hall on Tuesday, Mr O’Donovan refused to go as far, as he argued that his previous comments were “taken out of context” and focused only on the individual responsibility element.

When it was put to him several times by reporters that he was not suggesting that X needed to be held responsible, he insisted this was not the case.

However, he then continued to repeatedly state that Coimisiún na Meán and the Department of Justice had roles to play, while failing to mention X’s role.

“What I made very clear is Coimisiún na Meán are the regulator here. There is also An Garda Síochána,” Mr O’Donovan said.

“It is a matter for Coimisiún na Meán to investigate all and every complaint with regard to any platform, as it is also a role for the European Commission.

“There's two regulators in this context: Coimisiún na Meán and the European Commission.

“Given that I'm the minister with responsibility for Coimisiún na Meán, it would be highly inappropriate of me to tell Coimisiún na Meán what to do, because I'm sure journalists like yourself would probably say that I'm overstepping my role.” 

When it was put to him by the Irish Examiner that he was “blaming everyone else but X”, Mr O’Donovan said: “I’m not saying that at all.”

He continued: “I’ve laid out in quite simple terms whose responsibility [it is] from a statutory point of view.

“There is a statutory responsibility on Coimisiún na Meán. There is a statutory responsibility on the European Commission. There is a statutory responsibility on An Garda Síochána, and there is an individual responsibility on users.

“X are regulated by and governed by Coimisiún na Meán and An Garda Síochána. I am the minister with responsibility for Coimisiún na Meán. It would not be appropriate for me to tell Coimisiún na Meán what to do with regard to their role.” 

Government response 'not adequate'

On the plinth at Leinster House, Labour's Laura Harmon said that the response from Government has “not been adequate” as she called for X to appear from the Oireachtas artificial intelligence committee.

“We're talking about child abuse here, child abuse imagery,” the Cork senator said.

“If there was a factory created down the road this morning that was producing these kind of images, it would be shut down immediately.

“For that reason, I do believe that we need to consider the option needs to be on the table in terms of banning X in Ireland.” 

When he was asked if he would ban X in Ireland, Mr O’Donovan said that regulation of social media platforms is a matter for the European Commission.

“The Digital Services Act is the European piece of legislation that covers the operation, management, and oversight of social media platforms in Ireland,” he said.

“It is important to point out that the European Commission is the regulator for X, in conjunction with Coimisiún na Meán.

“I have made a personal decision with regard to my continuation on X. It's for everybody as individuals to do that.”