Irish media regulator opens formal investigation into X over child access

DUBLIN, Sept 8 (Reuters) – Ireland's media regulator has begun a formal investigation into social ​media platform X over ‌compliance with provisions on age assurance and parental controls, it said on Tuesday. The regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, ‌has ​the power to ⁠apply a fine ⁠of up to 10% of relevant annual turnover under Ireland's Online Safety Code. Under the code, ​age assurance is required to ensure that children do ⁠not see videos 'depicting ⁠pornography or extreme/gross and ​gratuitous violence or acts of cruelty,' ​the regulator said in a ‌statement announcing the investigation. It said concerns had arisen in relation to the 'potential ineffective implementation of ⁠age assurance mechanisms by X,' adding that age assurance based solely on ⁠self-declaration ‌is not considered effective. 'A ⁠concern exists that the ​parental ‌controls put in place ​by X ⁠may not be effective, do not have minimum requirements, are hard to locate,' it added. (Writing by Conor Humphries; editing by ​William James)