Irish regulator opens formal investigation into X over child access mechanisms

Irish media regulator Coimisiún na Meán has opened a formal investigation into social media platform X. The probe targets potential issues with child access to material depicting pornography or extreme violence under Ireland's Online Safety Code. Regulators state that self-declaration based age assurance is ineffective and questioned whether X's parental controls meet minimum requirements. Concerns specifically highlight that these controls are difficult to locate, lack necessary standards, and fail to alert new users at sign-up. The regulator noted it can impose fines up to 10 per cent of relevant annual turnover. X did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but its website states it utilizes a multi-faceted approach to verify user age.