‘Responsibility must rest with big tech companies’: Kilkenny TD on non-consensual AI images

TD for Carlow/Kilkenny, Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere has welcomed clarification from An Garda Síochána that the non-consensual sharing or threatening to share intimate images generated by artificial intelligence is illegal in Ireland. 

The confirmation was provided during questioning of Gardaí from the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau before the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Media, Communications and Culture and Sport.

Barry Walsh, Detective Chief Superintendent with An Garda Síochána, confirmed that existing legislation under Coco’s Law applies to AI-generated intimate images in the same way as other non-consensual intimate material.

Recent media coverage of the misuse of Grok AI to ‘undress’ individuals and circulate manipulated images on platforms such as X has caused widespread public concern and significant distress for victims.

Until now, uncertainty had existed around whether current legislation extended to images created using AI technology. 

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Speaking on the confirmation, Deputy Cleere said: “As a father of four young daughters, what came to light last week about Grok was deeply sickening to me and I know that feeling is shared by parents across the country”.

“The clarity that those abusing this powerful technology for their own sexual gratification can be prosecuted under existing law gives legislators greater certainty in addressing this issue and in holding big tech companies to account”, he added.

Mr Walsh also confirmed that Gardaí are currently investigating 200 images generated by Grok AI. He further noted that approximately 25,000 cases involving suspicious online images or videos were referred to An Garda Síochána last year, a significant increase on the approximately 13,000 cases referred in 2024.

Deputy Cleere continued: “As is often the case with new technology, innovation moves faster than the law. That is the challenge for legislators who are trying to keep pace with developments that are advancing at an exponential rate”.

“The primary responsibility must rest with big tech companies. They have a duty to society, and especially to children, to prevent the creation and circulation of this deplorable content. These are powerful tools developed by multinational companies and they cannot ignore how they are being exploited”.

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