Europe must take a stand on X – including being prepared to ban the platform outright, says Ó Ríordáin
Europe must take a stand on X - including being prepared to ban the platform outright, says Ó Ríordáin - The Labour Party
Labour MEP for Dublin Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has written today to EU Commission Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen calling for decisive action against the platform X, including the possibility of banning access in the EU, following serious concerns around the spread of child sexual abuse material and the platform’s ongoing failure to meet its obligations under EU law.
Speaking ahead of a key debate in Strasbourg on the issue next week, Ó Ríordáin said the situation on X had deteriorated to such an extent that the European Union must not shy away from the strongest possible enforcement action, even in the face of political pressure or threats of retaliation from the Trump administration.
He said:
“I wrote today to Commission Vice President Virkkunen because the situation on X has gone far beyond what any democratic society should tolerate. I left the platform a year ago because it had become a cesspit of hatred, intimidation and abuse. What we have seen since then is an acceleration of that decline, alongside the rapid rise of far right movements that use the platform to spread racism, misogyny and political extremism.
“The emergence of Grok and the generation of sexualised deepfake material, including content involving minors, marks a dangerous new phase. This is not just offensive or unethical content. It is potentially criminal material, and platforms have clear legal duties to prevent, remove and report it. In my view, X has failed that test.
“There are those who will insist that we cannot act because of the potential for retribution from the US administration – this is an assertion I entirely reject. The European Union cannot be afraid of potential blowback from Donald Trump, Elon Musk or anyone else. Europe’s digital laws are unique in the world and they exist to protect people, especially children. If we retreat now, we send a signal that intimidation works. This is precisely the moment for the EU to assert its autonomy and defend its values.
“The Digital Services Act gives the Commission the power to act, including through fines and, where non compliance is persistent and systemic, the suspension of access to a service in the EU – in other words: a ban. Those powers must be used if platforms refuse to change course.
“Europol also has a responsibility here. Its cybercrime and child protection units exist to track illegal material, support national investigations and dismantle abuse networks. I am calling on Europol to act decisively and use every tool at its disposal. Platforms that obstruct cooperation are not just breaching regulations, they are undermining criminal justice itself.
“This is about whether we are serious about protecting children, defending democracy and enforcing our own laws. Europe should not hesitate. If X cannot comply with EU standards, then access to our union cannot be guaranteed – and we need to now prepare the groundwork to ban the platform outright should that step be needed.”
The letter sent to the Commission can be found here.