‘Despicable’ – Simon Harris issues warning to Elon Musk as scam ads using the Taoiseach’s image flood X

The Government will clamp down on identity fraud, Taoiseach Simon Harris has said, after fake adverts with his image flooded X in recent days.

Mr Harris has appeared to threaten legal action against Elon Musk after false adverts of news articles circulated on the social media platform last week.

The articles, with provocative headlines, claimed to be from the Irish Independent and had photographs of the Taoiseach.

One headline in a fake advert claimed Bank of Ireland was suing the Taoiseach “for comments he made during a live broadcast”. The advert did not specify what these comments were, instead indirectly enticing social media users to click on the link.

The bank later clarified to say it was not suing Mr Harris.

The adverts have been reported to X by the Taoiseach’s office and he said he is “considering further action”.

He said the use of his images is “deeply concerning” as it can lead to scams and people losing money.

“I believe as a government we also need to examine how laws can be strengthened following a number of high-profile cases which seek to deceive people,” he told the Irish Independent.

“I will ensure this is something that is assessed in the time ahead.”

Mr Harris said he was concerned about “bad actors” enticing people to click into ads which use photographs of well-known figures.

“The use of my images on a number of online scam ads is deeply concerning given the aim of fraudsters involved is to exploit people which can lead to serious consequences, including financial loss,” he said.

“Social media companies need to take this seriously and protect those using their websites from falling victim to this despicable act.”

The Taoiseach appeared to threaten legal action on the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, and owned by billionaire Mr Musk.

Mr Musk is a close ally of US president-elect Donald Trump and is the co-lead of a new Trump administration advisory body called the Department of Government Efficiency.

“My office has reported these scams to the social media company on which they have appeared, and I am considering taking further action on the matter,” said Mr Harris.

“Social media companies have a duty to protect people who use their service, and this is another example of how they are not playing their part in doing so.”

Incoming Taoiseach Micheál Martin is taking legal action against Google over “fake and defamatory” ads that were “linked” to him.

The High Court previously issued a court order to force the multinational to hand over information about the adverts.

Separately, broadcaster Miriam O’Callaghan received an unreserved apology from Facebook as part of the settlement of her High Court action over several defamatory and untrue adverts that were posted on the social media platform.

Included in the settlement agreement, Meta Platforms Ireland, formerly known as Facebook Ireland, agreed to establish an additional scam ad reporting tool which will allow Irish users to report more details on misleading adverts to a specialist team within Facebook for review.

Speaking after the settlement, Ms O’Callaghan said it was “a good day” following a five-year battle over the misleading ads which, she said, had caused her distress and had damaged her reputation.

Reporting on:independent.ie