The media regulator Coimisiún na Meán has contacted X, formerly Twitter, amid concerns over its age verification measures.
Under new online safety rules that came into force on Monday, video-sharing platforms that allow pornography must have effective age assurance measures.
“Based on an initial review of the X platform, we cannot see evidence of measures taken to comply with this age assurance requirement,” Coimisiún na Meán said in a statement.
“We have further concerns about X’s compliance with other parts of the Online Safety Code, including but not limited to, the availability of parental controls,” it said.
“We have sought an explanation from X about the measures that they have taken to comply with the Code by Friday and will take further action where there is evidence of non-compliance with the Code,” the regulator said.
Coimisiún na Meán added that it is continuing to review all of the designated video-sharing platforms to assess their compliance with the Online Safety Code and will take any further supervisory, investigative or enforcement action required.
“We expect platforms to comply with their legal obligations,” the regulator said.
“Non-compliance is a serious matter which can lead to sanctions including significant financial penalties,” it added.
Coimisiún na Meán formally adopted the Online Safety Code in October 2024, but platforms were given nine months before the more detailed provisions of the code came into force to allow time for any IT changes that may have been needed.
The new rules prohibit the uploading of content such as cyberbullying, the promotion of self-harm, suicide, eating disorders or dangerous challenges, as well as pornography and violence.
Platforms must also have age assurance systems and parental controls in place.
Companies could face fines for breaches of up to €20 million or 10% of a platform’s annual turnover, whichever is greater.
