A real-time livestream portal connecting Dublin and New York was temporarily shut down due to inappropriate behavior exhibited on the Dublin side. The installation, which had launched a week prior, aimed to foster a real-time connection between the two cities, enabling interactive experiences like Irish dancing and even a marriage proposal. However, Dublin City Council reported instances of indecent exposure, offensive language, and inappropriate images related to 9/11 being shared by a minority of participants, leading to its closure for updates and maintenance.
The portal, situated in north Dublin facing O’Connell Street, with the American side on North Earl Street, was overseen by the Portals Organisation. They intend for the portal to provide a cultural exchange and encourage respectful interactions. They temporarily paused the livestream to implement software updates and have recently resumed the service, continuing to monitor the situation together with their partners in New York. Dublin City Council plans to introduce technical solutions to prevent future occurrences of such behavior and is committed to maintaining the installation as a positive cultural connection between the two cities.