An Irish government minister has publicly abandoned the social media platform X, formerly Twitter, citing a toxic environment and profound discomfort with its artificial intelligence tool's ability to generate sexualised deepfakes.
Minister Takes a Stand Against Platform Abuse
Minister for Media Patrick O'Donovan confirmed he deactivated his personal account on the morning of Friday, 9 January 2026. He told Limerick Live 95 radio that a consistent "wave of abuse" directed at him, regardless of what he posted, had made the platform unusable for sharing information. The final catalyst for his departure was the recent controversy surrounding X's integrated AI chatbot, Grok.
Mr O'Donovan stated he felt deeply uncomfortable remaining on a platform that permits the creation of sexually explicit deepfake imagery. "I just don't feel comfortable with the fact that there's people that are going to use my image, or your image, or somebody else's image, and artificially generate something around it," he explained. He clarified he was not calling for a wider boycott but was acting on his personal principles as Minister for Media.
Grok AI Tool Faces Legal Scrutiny
The minister's exit follows intense scrutiny in both Ireland and the UK over Grok. The AI feature has been heavily criticised after users generated a multitude of sexualised images, including depictions of children. In response, Grok now informs users that requests for such content will only be processed for paid subscribers, who must provide their name and payment details.
This move has done little to assuage government concerns. Earlier in the week, junior minister Niamh Smyth, who holds responsibility for AI policy, stated unequivocally that images created via Grok on X had broken Irish law. "Whether they are real images or computer-generated, which is what we're talking about here, it is a criminal offence to distribute them on platforms," she asserted.
Minister Smyth has formally requested a meeting with X representatives over the matter and warned of consequences if a breach of law is confirmed. The Irish Attorney General is also examining whether current legislation provides sufficient protection for citizens against such AI-generated content.
Broader Implications for Tech Governance
The incident highlights the growing regulatory and ethical challenges posed by rapidly evolving AI tools integrated into major social platforms. The decision by a serving media minister to leave a primary communication channel is a significant symbolic act, reflecting deepening unease among policymakers.
It places direct pressure on X and its owner, Elon Musk, to address content moderation and safety features surrounding its AI products. The situation underscores a critical tension between technological innovation, platform governance, and the protection of individuals from digital harm, setting a potential precedent for how other nations might respond to similar controversies.
