Ireland’s Online Safety Framework is currently made up of three laws. One of the aims of this framework is to reduce the risk of young people (and the public in general) encountering illegal or harmful content online.
By law, online platforms must have easy to use and easy to find reporting options, better parental controls, and more transparency over how their recommender systems/algorithms work. The laws under the Online Safety Framework are
- The Digital Services Act
- The Online Safety Code
- The Terrorist Content Online Regulation
What Online Services do these apply to?
The Digital Services Act (DSA)
This is a European law that applies to online services used across the EU. The DSA places different obligations on services depending on their size and reach. The biggest platforms, Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs), and search engines, Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs), have more obligations than smaller ones do.
- Very Large Online Platforms, e.g Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest, Temu and Shein
- Very Large Online Search Engines, e.g. Google and Bing
Online Safety Code
This is an Irish code that applies to video-sharing platforms with headquarters in Ireland, e.g. Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, Pinterest and Tumblr
Terrorist Content Online Regulation
This is a European regulation which applies to services that enable the storing and sharing of data online, e.g. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Pinterest and WhatsApp
Coimisiún na Meán
Coimisiún na Meán is Ireland’s media regulator.
It is Coimisiún na Meán’s job to make sure that Irish-based online platforms are following the rules of the Online Safety Framework.
If it is found that online platforms are not following the rules, Coimisiún na Meán can issue very large fines.
Coimisiún na Meán’s mission: To regulate a diverse, safe and thriving media and online landscape. This means having a mix of different voices, opinions and sources of news, and protecting children, and all of us, from illegal and harmful content online.
Your Rights Online
The Right To Report
Online platforms should have easy to find and easy to use reporting mechanisms
The Right To Express Yourself
If a platform removes your content, you have the right to know why and the right to appeal
The Right To Privacy
When a platform knows a user is under 18, they are not allowed to use targeted advertising on them
The Right To Information
T&Cs should contain information on restrictions on content, e.g. illegal and harmful content
The Right To Be Protected From Harm
Platforms must have clear information in their T&Cs about how their ‘For You’ feeds work
What you can report to Coimisiún Na Meán
If you come across illegal or harmful content online, you should always report it to the platform where you see it.
You can contact Coimisiún na Meán at www.cnam.ie if:
- You have trouble reporting to the platform
- You do not receive a response to your report from the platform
- You have concerns that the platform is not following the correct procedures when handling your report
You can find guides and videos on how to report at www.cnam.ie/howtoreport
Thanks to Coimisiún na Meán who helped to collate this information.