X, owned by Elon Musk, Defends Dublin Riot Response Following Criticism, Claims Action Taken was ‘Proactive’

Social media giant X, previously identified as Twitter, has refuted allegations made by Ireland’s justice minister Helen McEntee regarding its handling of the Dublin riots, which were partially instigated by far-right users on the platform. X dismissed McEntee’s assertion that it failed to cooperate with Irish law enforcement during the disturbances on November 23, labeling such claims as “inaccurate.”

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

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

McEntee said X “didn’t participate. They didn’t meet their own community standards.”

The platform described McEntee’s claims as “inaccurate.”

“We have taken proactive action on more than 1,230 pieces of content in accordance with our riot policies,” it said late Monday.

“(Police Ireland) didn’t make formal requests to us until late on Monday, November 27. We responded quickly.

“The only complaint we’ve received (from Police Ireland) about the enforcement of our rules is about one post,” X said, adding that it hoped McEntee would “clarify his comments”.

In the wake of the unrest, Irish lawmakers have called on major tech companies to do more to combat far-right online activity.

The Dublin parliament is also considering a hate speech law that would restrict users who post inflammatory content on social media.

The proposed law could see world famous cage fighter Conor McGregor in the spotlight.

During the unrest, the Dublin native posted a series of social media posts criticizing the government’s immigration policy, writing to his 10 million followers: “Ireland, we are at war.”

After the bill, X owner Elon Musk said Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar “hates Irish people”.

In response to the right-wing influencer’s comment, Musk also appeared to support the idea of putting McGregor – a former UFC champion – in political office in Ireland.