X refusal to attend Oireachtas Committee is disgraceful
X refusal to attend Oireachtas Committee is disgraceful - The Labour Party
- Google, Meta and TikTok agree to attend Committee
Chairperson of the Oireachtas Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport Committee and Labour Party TD Alan Kelly has expressed his deep concern at the refusal of X to appear before the Oireachtas Committee.
Deputy Kelly said:
“The manner in which X have operated over the course of this debacle is disgraceful. An invitation was issued to X to appear at the Oireachtas Committee on February 4th, which they have turned down today. Meanwhile, Google, Meta and TikTok have agreed to attend Committee.
“I would urge X executives to rethink this, and I am calling on Minister O’Donovan and Minster Smyth to reiterate to X the importance of it appearing at the Committee.
“The attitude adopted by X is deeply concerning, particularly given that the Minister has expressed that “concerns remain” following meeting with officials from X today.
“X officials should have presented themselves to the Committee, to give the public and legislators an understanding of what happened and what steps are being taken to safeguard against any form of inappropriate and illegal use of AI.
“Social media platforms have a crucial role to play in a health society providing spaces for dialogue but what has happened with X over the past month, but indeed since it changed ownership, is intolerable.
“Real people have been impacted by the misuse of AI which is why we need to see swift and immediate action taken by Government. I understand that the Gardaí are investigating over 200 cases reported to them, and I would urge anyone who has experienced any form of abuse to report them to the Gardaí. There are clear protections in place with Coco’s Law, which the Labour Party was instrumental in enacting.”