Source: The Irish Times

The Irish Times reports that Coimisiún na Meán, the national media regulator of Ireland, has issued a landmark declaration categorizing non-consensual AI-generated sexual images as illegal content. This official designation provides the regulator with the authority to compel social media platforms to remove such content immediately. Platforms that fail to comply could face severe administrative fines, reaching millions of euros. The decision is part of a broader effort to implement the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act within Ireland's jurisdiction.

The regulator emphasized that the anonymity often associated with AI creation does not exempt content from established laws against harassment and sexual abuse. Given that Ireland is the European headquarters for many major tech corporations, this move has significant implications for digital governance across the continent. Coimisiún na Meán intends to work closely with other European regulators to ensure that platforms maintain rigorous detection and takedown mechanisms. This case signals a shift towards a zero-tolerance policy for digital harms facilitated by generative technologies.