Social Media Chiefs Must Face The Rigours Of The Law Over AI Imagery Says Wicklow Wexford TD

The fact that there has not been a single prosecution against social media companies for child abuse images is incredible according to Wicklow Wexford TD Brian Brennan

The news that emerged on Wednesday that there has not been a single prosecution against any social media company for alleged child abuse imagery and exploitation is 'incredible' a local Fine Gael TD has an Oireachtas committee. 

Wicklow Wexford representative Brian Brennan heard from gardaí attending the committee gathering that there has not been a single successful prosecution against any of the major tech firms for the manufacture and dissemination of child abuse images.

A senior member of An Garda Síochána’s National Cyber Crime Bureau informed the committee that no such case had been brought against any company chief from Irish authorities. 

It was also revealed that 25,000 referrals of potential child sex abuse images were made to Gardaí last year

Deputy Brennan told East Coast FM news in the wake of the meeting how he was left frustrated and disappointed by such revelations. 

“Social media companies have been around for two decades now. They are not a new aspect of our lives or communications.

“It is incredible to learn today that not a single prosecution has taken place. I was stunned

“Children are the most vulnerable members of our society and should be afforded every protection. Are we as a country doing this?” Deputy Brennan asked.

He also called for harder judicial actions against the owners and those running social media platforms such as Elon Musk who took of X, formerly Twitter in 2024.  

“Social media companies must be held to account in a court of law. This is the only way to send out a message to them.”

“The figures of referrals to Gardaí last year is almost double the figure for 2024. This is only going one way with recent developments.

“Are our agencies and authorities equipped enough? Do they have enough resources? This is a constantly evolving field and we have to ensure we are best equipped to tackle any problems or dangers with it.

“Currently Gardaí are investigating 200 reports of suspected child sexual abuse content linked to Grok. This figure will only go one way,” Deputy Brennan said.

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