Gerry Adams's lawyer to pursue chatbots for libel
The high-profile media lawyer who represented Gerry Adams in his libel trial against the BBC is now preparing to sue the world's most powerful AI chatbots for defamation.
As one of the most prominent libel lawyers in the UK, Paul Tweed said that artificial intelligence was the 'new battleground' in trying to prevent misinformation about his clients from being spread online.
Mr Tweed is turning his attention to tech after he recently helped the former Sinn Fein leader secure a €100,000 (£84,000) payout over a BBC documentary that falsely claimed he sanctioned the murder of a British spy.
The Belfast-based solicitor said he was already building a test case against Meta that could trigger a flurry of similar lawsuits, as he claims to have exposed falsehoods shared by chatbots on Facebook and Instagram.
It is not the first time tech giants have been sued for defamation over questionable responses spewed out by their chatbots.
Robby Starbuck, the US activist known for targeting diversity schemes at major companies, has sued Meta for defamation alleging that its AI chatbot spread a number of false claims about him, including that he took part in the Capitol riots.
A Norwegian man also filed a complaint against OpenAI after its ChatGPT software incorrectly stated that he had killed two of his sons and been jailed for 21 years.
Mr Tweed, who has represented celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Harrison Ford and Jennifer Lopez, said: 'My pet subject is generative AI and the consequences of them repeating or regurgitating disinformation and misinformation.'
He believes statements put out by AI chatbots fall outside the protections afforded to social media companies, which have traditionally seen them avoid liability for libel.
If successful, Mr Tweed will expose social media companies that have previously argued they should not be responsible for claims made on their platforms because they are technology companies rather than traditional publishers.
Mr Tweed said: 'I've been liaising with a number of well-known legal professors on both sides of the Atlantic and they agree that there's a very strong argument that generative AI will fall outside the legislative protections.'
The lawyer said that chatbots are actually creating new content, meaning they should be considered publishers.
He said that the decision by many tech giants to move their headquarters to Ireland for lower tax rates had also opened them up to being sued in Dublin's high courts, where libel cases are typically decided by a jury.
This setup is often seen as more favourable to claimants, which Mr Tweed himself says has fuelled a wave of 'libel tourism' in Ireland.
He also said Dublin's high courts are attractive as a lower price option compared to London, where he said the costs of filing libel claims are 'eye-watering'.
He said: 'I think it's absurd now, the level of costs that are being claimed. The libel courts in London are becoming very, very expensive and highly risky now. The moment you issue your claim form, the costs go into the stratosphere.
'It's not in anyone's interest for people to be deprived of access to justice. It will get to the point where nobody sues for libel unless you're a billionaire.'
Meta was contacted for comment.
Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
an hour ago
Canadian Prime Minister Carney says trade talks with US resume after Canada rescinded tech tax
TORONTO -- Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said late Sunday trade talks with U.S. have resumed after Canada rescinded its plan to tax U.S. technology firms. U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that he was suspending trade talks with Canada over its plans to continue with its tax on technology firms, which he called 'a direct and blatant attack on our country.' The Canadian government said 'in anticipation' of a trade deal 'Canada would rescind' the Digital Serves Tax. The tax was set to go into effect Monday. Carney and Trump spoke on the phone Sunday, and Carney's office said they agreed to resume negotiations. 'Today's announcement will support a resumption of negotiations toward the July 21, 2025, timeline set out at this month's G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis,' Carney said in a statement. Carney visited Trump in May at the White House, where he was polite but firm. Trump traveled to Canada for the G7 summit in Alberta, where Carney said that Canada and the U.S. had set a 30-day deadline for trade talks. Trump, in a post on his social media network last Friday, said Canada had informed the U.S. that it was sticking to its plan to impose the digital services tax, which applies to Canadian and foreign businesses that engage with online users in Canada. The digital services tax was due to hit companies including Amazon, Google, Meta, Uber and Airbnb with a 3% levy on revenue from Canadian users. It would have applied retroactively, leaving U.S. companies with a $2 billion U.S. bill due at the end of the month. Daniel Béland, a political science professor at McGill University in Montreal, called Carney's retreat a 'clear victory" for Trump. "At some point this move might have become necessary in the context of Canada-US trade negotiations themselves but Prime Minister Carney acted now to appease President Trump and have him agree to simply resume these negotiations, which is a clear victory for both the White House and big tech," Béland said. He said it makes Carney look vulnerable to President Trump's outbursts. 'President Trump forced PM Carney to do exactly what big tech wanted. U.S. tech executive will be very happy with this outcome,' Béland said. Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne also spoke with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Sunday. 'Rescinding the digital services tax will allow the negotiations of a new economic and security relationship with the United States to make vital progress,' Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said in a statement. Trump's announcement Friday was the latest swerve in the trade war he's launched since taking office for a second term in January. Progress with Canada has been a roller coaster, starting with the U.S. president poking at the nation's northern neighbor and repeatedly suggesting it would be absorbed as a U.S. state. Canada and the U.S. have been discussing easing on goods from America's neighbor. Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on steel and aluminum as well as 25% tariffs on autos. He is also charging a 10% tax on imports from most countries, though he could raise rates on July 9, after the 90-day negotiating period he set would expire. Canada and Mexico face separate tariffs of as much as 25% that Trump put into place under the auspices of stopping fentanyl smuggling, though some products are still protected under the 2020 U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement signed during Trump's first term.
San Francisco Chronicle
an hour ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Israel's strike on Iran's Evin prison sparks fear for political prisoners
BEIRUT (AP) — Sayeh Seydal, a jailed Iranian dissident, narrowly escaped death when Israeli missiles struck Tehran's Evin Prison, where she was imprisoned. She had just stepped out of the prison's clinic, moments before it was destroyed in the blasts. The June 23 strikes on Iran's most notorious prison for political dissidents killed at least 71 people, including staff, soldiers, visiting family members and people living nearby, Iranian judiciary spokesman Asghar Jahangir said Sunday. In the ensuing chaos, authorities transferred Seydal and others to prisons outside of Tehran — overcrowded facilities, known for their harsh conditions. When she was able to call her family several days ago, Seydal pleaded for help. 'It's literally a slow death,' she said of the conditions, according to a recording of the call provided by her relatives, in accordance with Seydal's wishes. 'The bombing by the U.S. and Israel didn't kill us. Then the Islamic Republic brought us to a place that will practically kill us,' she said. Activists fear Israel's attacks will lead to crackdown Iran's pro-democracy and rights activists fear they will pay the price for Israel's 12-day air campaign aiming to cripple the country's nuclear program. Many now say the state, reeling from the breach in its security, has already intensified its crackdown on opponents. Israel's strike on Evin — targeting, it said, "repressive authorities' — spread panic among families of the political prisoners, who were left scrambling to determine their loved ones' fates. A week later, families of those who were in solitary confinement or under interrogation still haven't heard from them. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, a veteran activist who has been imprisoned multiple times in Evin, said that Iranian society, "to get to democracy, needs powerful tools to reinforce civil society and the women's movement.' 'Unfortunately, war weakens these tools,' she said in a video message to The Associated Press from Tehran. Political space is already shrinking with security forces increasing their presence in the streets of the capital, she said. Fears of looming executions Many now fear a potential wave of executions targeting activists and political prisoners. They see a terrifying precedent: After Iran's war with Iraq ended in 1988, authorities executed at least 5,000 political prisoners after perfunctory trials, then buried them in mass graves that have never been accessed. Already during Israel's campaign, Iran executed six prisoners who were sentenced to death before the war. The Washington-based Human Rights Activists in Iran documented nearly 1,300 people arrested, most on charges of espionage, including 300 for sharing content on social media in just 12 days. Parliament is fast-tracking a bill allowing greater use of the death penalty for charges of collaboration with foreign adversaries. The judiciary chief called for expedited proceedings against those who 'disrupt the peace' or "collaborate' with Israel. 'We know what that means. That means show trials and executions,' said Bahar Ghandehari, director of advocacy and media at the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran. Prisoners scattered after the strike Evin Prison, located in an upscale neighborhood on Tehran's northern edge, housed an estimated 120 men and women in its general wards, as well as hundreds of others believed to be in its secretive security units under interrogation or in solitary confinement, according to HRA. The prisoners include protesters, lawyers and activists who have campaigned for years against Iran's authoritarian rule, corruption and religious laws including enforcement of Islamic attire on women. Authorities have crushed repeated waves of nationwide protests since 2009 in crackdowns that have killed hundreds and jailed thousands. The strikes hit Evin during visiting hours, causing shock and panic. Seydal, an international law scholar who joined protest movements over the past two decades and has been in and out of jail since 2023, recounted to her family her near brush with death in the prison clinic. The blast knocked her to the ground, a relative who spoke to Seydal said, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. Visiting halls, the prosecutor's office and several prisoner wards were also heavily damaged, according to rights groups and relatives of prisoners. One missile hit the prison entrance, where prisoners often are sitting waiting to be taken to hospitals or court. 'Attacking a prison, when the inmates are standing behind closed doors and they are unable to do the slightest thing to save themselves, can never be a legitimate target,' Mohammadi said. Mohammadi was just released in December when her latest sentence was briefly suspended for medical reasons. During the night, buses began transferring prisoners to other facilities, according to Mohammadi and families of prisoners. At least 65 women were sent to Qarchak Prison, according to Mohammadi, who is in touch with them. Men were sent to the Grand Tehran Penitentiary, housing criminals and high-security prisoners. Both are located south of Tehran. Mohammadi told AP that her immediate fear was a lack of medical facilities and poor hygiene. Among the women are several with conditions needing treatment, including 73-year-old civil rights activist Raheleh Rahemi, who has a brain tumor. In her call home, Seydal called Qarchak a 'hellhole.' She said the women were packed together in isolation, with no hygiene care, and limited food or drinkable water. 'It stinks. Just pure filth,' she said. 'She sounded confused, scared and very sad,' her relative said. 'She knows speaking out is very dangerous for her. But also being silent can be dangerous for her.' On Sunday, Sayeh made another call to her family, saying she was briefly taken back to Evin to bring her belongings. The stench of 'death' filled the air, her relative quoted her as saying. The 47-year-old Seydal was first sentenced in 2023. In early 2025, her furlough was canceled, and she was assaulted by security and faced new charges after she refused to wear a chador at the prosecutor's office. A brother disappears Reza Younesi's father and younger brother, Ali, have both been imprisoned at Evin for years. Now the family is terrified because Ali has disappeared. Ali, a 25-year-old graduate of a prestigious technical university, was serving a 16-year sentence for "colluding to commit crimes against national security.' The sentence, widely criticized by rights groups, was reduced but then the Intelligence Ministry launched a new case against him on unknown charges. Days before the strike on Evin, Ali was dragged out of his ward and taken to an unknown location, according to his brother. After the strike, their father, Mir-Yousef Younesi, saw no sign of Ali as he and other prisoners were transferred to the Great Tehran Penitentiary. The father managed to get a call out to his family, in a panic. Disappearances in Evin are not uncommon. Guards sometimes remove political prisoners from wards for interrogation. In some cases, they are sentenced in secret trials and executed. After the strikes, Swedish-Iranian academic Ahmadreza Djalali, sentenced to death in 2017, was transferred from the Tehran prison to an undisclosed location, according to Amnesty International, which expressed fear he could be executed. Reza Younesi said the family lawyer was unable to find out any information about his brother or the new charges. 'We are all worried,' he said, speaking from Sweden where he is an associate professor at Uppsala University. 'When there is no information from a prisoner, this almost in all cases means that the person is under interrogation and torture.' 'All hope is gone' Mehraveh Khandan grew up in a family of political activists. She spent much of her childhood and teen years going to Evin to visit her mother, rights lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, who was imprisoned there multiple times. Her father, Reza Khandan, was thrown into Evin in December for distributing buttons opposing the mandatory headscarf for women. Now living in Amsterdam, the 25-year-old Mehraveh Khandan frantically tried to find information about her father after the strike. The internet was cut off, and her mother had evacuated from Tehran. 'I was just thinking who might die there,' she said. It took 24 hours before she got word her father was OK. In a family call later, her father told how he was sleeping on the floor in a crowded cell rife with insects at the Grand Tehran Penitentiary. At first, she thought the Evin strike might prompt the government to release prisoners. But after seeing reports of mass detentions and executions, 'all this hope is gone,' she said.
Business Wire
an hour ago
- Business Wire
Syngenta to Become Global Leader in Biologicals; Expanding Nature Inspired Solutions for Farmers
BASEL, Switzerland--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Syngenta is accelerating the rollout of its nature-inspired, science-based biological solutions, responding to rising demand for sustainable, high-performance tools that help farmers boost productivity efficiently and responsibly. It also contributes toward Syngenta's fulfilment of commitments outlined in its Sustainability Priorities. Jonathan Brown, Global Head Biologicals & Seedcare, comments: 'With our recent partnerships and acquisitions and extended manufacturing capacities, Syngenta is positioning itself as the leader in biologicals. Our scientific expertise is at the forefront of our research and development efforts to provide farmers with the next generation of biologicals, helping them transition towards more sustainable farming practices, such as regenerative agriculture.' In December 2024, the company acquired Intrinsyx Bio, a California-based start-up specializing in the development of nutrient-use efficiency products. Most recently, in early 2025, Syngenta concluded the integration of Novartis' Strains and Natural Products Collection, the repository of natural compounds and genetic strains for agricultural use. These additions will accelerate the development of biologicals, bringing new tools to the market as a sustainable complement to conventional crop protection solutions. Also in 2025, Syngenta opened a 22,000 m² biologicals facility in Orangeburg, South Carolina, in the United States, which is purpose-built to produce 16,000 tons of biostimulants annually. This new manufacturing facility complements Syngenta's existing global network of biologicals' manufacturing facilities in Brazil, Italy, India and Norway. These strategic milestones effectively enhance both Syngenta's R&D, operating out of the centers of excellence in Stein, Switzerland; Jealott's Hill, UK; Atessa, Italy; and production capacity for biologicals, facilitating Syngenta's roll out of its biologicals pipeline, with multiple candidates demonstrating strong commercial potential with projected annual sales above USD 100 million. Syngenta Biologicals posted strong Q1 2025 results, with standout performance in North America and China. The global biologicals market is growing at around 10% CAGR and is projected to reach nearly USD 20 billion by 2030, according to AgbioInvestor and Syngenta's estimate, underlining the pivotal role of biologicals in the future of sustainable farming. Derived predominantly from naturally occurring substances, biologicals offer significant potential for sustainable agriculture. The market can be categorized into three main categories: Biocontrols – Naturally derived products for managing pests, diseases, and weeds. Biostimulants – Products enhancing natural plant processes to improve abiotic stress tolerance and crop quality. Nutrient Use Efficiency (NUE) products – Any substance or microorganism to improve macro- and micronutrient availability and uptake to promote growth and enhance yield. About Syngenta Syngenta is a global leader in agricultural innovation with a presence in more than 90 countries. Syngenta is focused on developing technologies and farming practices that empower farmers, so they can make the transformation required to feed the world's population while preserving our planet. Its bold scientific discoveries deliver better benefits for farmers and society on a bigger scale than ever before. Guided by its Sustainability Priorities, Syngenta is developing new technologies and solutions that support farmers to grow healthier plants in healthier soil with a higher yield. Syngenta Crop Protection is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland; Syngenta Seeds is headquartered in the United States. Read our stories and follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & X. Data protection is important to us. You are receiving this publication on the legal basis of Article 6 para 1 lit. f GDPR ('legitimate interest'). However, if you do not wish to receive further information about Syngenta, just send us a brief informal message and we will no longer process your details for this purpose. You can also find further details in our privacy statement. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This document may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by terminology such as 'expect', 'would', 'will', 'potential', 'plans', 'prospects', 'estimated', 'aiming', 'on track' and similar expressions. Such statements may be subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from these statements. For Syngenta, such risks and uncertainties include risks relating to legal proceedings, regulatory approvals, new product development, increasing competition, customer credit risk, general economic and market conditions, compliance and remediation, intellectual property rights, implementation of organizational changes, impairment of intangible assets, consumer perceptions of genetically modified crops and organisms or crop protection chemicals, climatic variations, fluctuations in exchange rates and/or commodity prices, single source supply arrangements, political uncertainty, natural disasters, and breaches of data security or other disruptions of information technology. Syngenta assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, changed assumptions, or other factors. ©2025 Syngenta. Rosentalstrasse 67, 4058 Basel, Switzerland.
