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Belfast Council Suspends X Over Deepfake Concerns

1/24/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The Belfast City Council suspended its use of X over concerns about Grok AI creating sexualized deepfake images.
The proposal from Séamas De Faoite (SDLP) and Brian Smyth (Green Party) passed 15–4, with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) opposing.
The council will consult residents of streets named after Prince Andrew on potential name changes, with ratification set for February 2.

History

Historical Context

The European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), enacted in 2018, marked a significant shift in data privacy. This change resonates in Belfast, where the City Council recently voted 15-4 to suspend Grok AI over concerns about deepfake images. Such actions reflect a growing awareness of digital ethics and may prompt broader discussions on AI regulation and community engagement in Northern Ireland.

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Story summary

The Belfast City Council suspended its use of X over concerns about Grok AI creating sexualized deepfake images.
The proposal from Séamas De Faoite (SDLP) and Brian Smyth (Green Party) passed 15–4, with the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) opposing.
The council will consult residents of streets named after Prince Andrew on potential name changes, with ratification set for February 2.

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