Irish media regulator opens formal investigation into X over child access

Read a summary of this article on FAST.
Get bite-sized news via a new
cards interface. Give it a try.
Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FAST
FAST

DUBLIN, Sept 8 : Ireland's media regulator has begun a formal investigation into social media platform X over compliance with provisions on age assurance and parental controls, it said on Tuesday.

The regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, has the power to apply a fine of up to 10 per cent of relevant annual turnover under Ireland's Online Safety Code.

Under the code, age assurance is required to ensure that children do not see videos "depicting pornography or extreme/gross and gratuitous violence or acts of cruelty," the regulator said in a statement announcing the investigation.

It said concerns had arisen in relation to the "potential ineffective implementation of age assurance mechanisms by X," adding that age assurance based solely on self-declaration is not considered effective.

"A concern exists that the parental controls put in place by X may not be effective, do not have minimum requirements, are hard to locate," it added.

(Writing by Conor Humphries; editing by William James)

Newsletter

Week in Review

Subscribe to our Chief Editor’s Week in Review

Our chief editor shares analysis and picks of the week's biggest news every Saturday.

Sign up for our newsletters

Get our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inbox

Subscribe here

Get the CNA app

Stay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best stories

Download here

Get WhatsApp alerts

Join our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat app

Join here