October 2024
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Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference focused on next steps for online safety and regulation in Ireland.
It brought stakeholders and policymakers together to discuss priorities for effective implementation of the new Online Safety Code published by Coimisiún na Meán and recently approved by the European Commission, which requires video sharing platform services to protect users from harmful content.
Delegates examined provisions outlined in the code, with an updated draft version published in May, including the way forward for its practical application in protecting children online, requirements for parental controls, and obligations to prohibit the dissemination of harmful content in light of the Taoiseach’s recent commitments to ensure platform compliance in tackling online threats, bullying, and the spread of misinformation.
The agenda also focused on issues arising from consultation on the code, including the need for clarity and proportionality in its development, and next steps for minimising overlap with wider online safety legislation, following the recent High Court case regarding the designation of Reddit and Tumblr as platforms to be regulated by a new code.
Priorities for safeguarding children online were considered, looking at options for effective age verification measures, and addressing challenges posed by toxic AI recommender algorithms, with the Irish Council for Civil Liberties having expressed concern that these will not be covered by the code.
Further sessions explored areas of best practice in the development of online safety frameworks in Australia and how these can be applied to Ireland’s approach.
Delegates discussed coordination with wider EU law, in the context of the country of origin principle which means that the obligations and responsibilities of an online platform established in Ireland will be determined by Irish law. They discussed implementing and building on the Digital Services Act 2024, which requires online platforms to remove illegal content and introduces obligations regarding algorithmic transparency.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with: Niamh Hodnett, Online Safety Commissioner, Coimisiún na Meán; Rita Wezenbeek, Director, Platforms and Enforcement, DG Connect, European Commission; Julie Inman Grant, Australia’s eSafety Commissioner; and Simon McGarr, Solicitor, McGarr Solicitors.
Overall, areas for discussion included:
- Online Safety Code: priorities, provisions and key issues - structure and implementation - safety impact assessments - defining categories of harm - online education and digital literacy - options for age verification
- regulatory priorities: regulatory support and clarity of responsibility - ensuring proportionality - assessing harmful recommender algorithms - prospects for an individual complaints mechanism
- assessing best practice: learning from approaches elsewhere - options for cross-border collaboration - assessing merits of and challenges for prescriptive and descriptive approaches
- coordination with wider EU legislation: coordinating with regulatory bodies - minimising duplication of regulatory requirements - implementing the Digital Services Act 2024 - ensuring regulation is flexible
- protecting children: safeguarding against cyber-bullying and the promotion of self-harm, suicide or disordered eating - developing robust age verification technologies - measures for parental control systems
- tech industry priorities: platforms’ duty of care - implementation of new responsibilities - clarity of guidance and transparency on requirements of advertising policy - approaches for removal of harmful content
- addressing deep learning and AI algorithms: assessing the impact of recommender algorithms on children - potential for minimising the spread of disinformation
- complaints mechanisms: assessing how an individual complaints mechanism could work in practice - addressing resourcing challenges - options for a ‘super-complaints’ system to address systemic issues
All delegates were able to contribute, alongside key policy officials, to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. Those that attended include officials from DCEDIY, ROI; DTCAGSM, ROI; DfC, NI; DfE; DSIT; Ofcom; ICO; Education Scotland; Home Office; Government of Jersey; and the Welsh Government.
