A Social Democrats TD has drawn criticism for suggesting that entire websites should be shut down to prevent the spread of harmful content \u2013 a proposal likened to something from a \u201ctotalitarian regime.\u201d<\/p>\n
Speaking during a panel debate on Virgin Media\u2019s The Tonight Show this week, Dublin Rathdown TD Sinead Gibney, who is the Social Democrats\u2019 spokesperson on communications, said that the State could prevent websites from running at a \u201cdomain level.\u201d<\/p>\n
The remarks were made during a discussion on the regulation of the technology sector and the recent controversies surrounding the AI model Grok, which is linked to Elon Musk\u2019s social media platform X.<\/p>\n
In response to Gibney\u2019s proposal to take down overall products, the programme\u2019s host Shane Coleman questioned whether such an approach was appropriate.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs that a desirable outcome?\u201d Coleman asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI mean, that sounds like something from a totalitarian regime, does it not?\u201d<\/p>\n
Gibney defended her stance by comparing digital products to physical goods that are recalled if they are found to be defective.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, I think people compare it to, for example, if a car seat is faulty, it gets recalled,\u201d Gibney said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf a car seat is faulty, these days, it doesn\u2019t even get into the cars in the first place because there are so many rigorous standards that it has to meet.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese products are pushed onto us, pushed into our lives and pushed into our children\u2019s lives before they are safe, and they remain there when they are not safe.\u201d<\/p>\n
The idea of shutting down social media companies was rejected by Fine Gael senator and Seanad leader Garrett Ahearn, who claimed that such a \u201cradical\u201d decision was not a good policy.<\/p>\n
However, Gibney immediately interrupted to clarify her position, stating: \u201cI\u2019m not saying shutting down the companies.\u201d She added that specific tools like \u201cthe Grok AI could have been injuncted.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ahearn continued by highlighting the potential economic impact on the technology sector.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose companies are employing people in this country, obviously,\u201d Ahearn said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we need to bring stronger measures, and that\u2019s what the Minister is committed to doing.\u201d<\/p>\n
The latest exchange follows previous comments made by the TD regarding the State\u2019s role in controlling online spaces.<\/p>\n
As reported by Gript in January of this year, Gibney told a Joint Oireachtas Committee on Online Safety that the State could consider nationalising online platforms to advance its own goals.<\/p>\n