Musk's X defends its Dublin riot response

Musk's X defends its Dublin riot response

The November 23 riots were the worst seen in Dublin in decades
The November 23 riots were the worst seen in Dublin in decades. Photo: Peter MURPHY / AFP
Source: AFP

Social media giant X, formerly known as Twitter, has defended its response to recent rioting in Dublin that was in part fuelled by far-right users of the platform.

X described as "inaccurate" claims by Ireland's justice minister Helen McEntee that it did not engage with Irish police during the November 23 unrest.

The violence, which saw police cars and public transport vehicles set on fire and shops looted, was the worst seen in Dublin for decades.

In a statement to the Irish parliament last week McEntee said that while some social media companies like TikTok and Meta engaged with police and took down posts, others did not.

McEntee said that X "didn't engage. They did not fulfil their own community standards".

The platform described McEntee's claims as "inaccurate".

PAY ATTENTION: Сheck out news that is picked exactly for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Read also

Saudi Arabia says 'absolutely not' to oil phaseout at COP28

"We have proactively taken action on more than 1,230 pieces of content under our rules relating to the riots," it said late on Monday.

"The (Irish police) did not make any formal requests to us until late Monday 27th November. We responded promptly.

"The only appeal we have received from the (Irish police) relating to the enforcement of our rules is for a single post," said X, adding that it hopes McEntee "will clarify her remarks".

In the wake of the unrest, Irish lawmakers have called for big tech companies to be more proactive in tackling far-right activity online.

The Dublin parliament is also considering a hate speech bill that would clamp down on users posting inflammatory content on social media.

The planned bill could see world-renowned cage fighter Conor McGregor under the spotlight.

The Dublin native sent a series of social media posts during the unrest that criticised the government's immigration policy, writing to his 10 million followers: "Ireland, we are at war."

Read also

US Commerce chief warns against China 'threat'

After the law was proposed, X's owner Elon Musk said that Irish prime minister Leo Varadkar "hates the Irish people."

In response to a comment from a right-wing influencer, Musk also appeared to endorse the idea of McGregor –- the former UFC champion -– running for political office in Ireland.

New feature: Сheck out news that is picked for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.