The Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill will “go a long way in keeping people safe online by reducing the availability of harmful content”.
This is the view of the Minister of State and Fine Gael Galway West TD, Hildegarde Naughton, following the publication this week of the new Bill, which she called “a critical piece of legislation”.
The Bill will see the establishment of a new multi-person media commission, and create the role of an Online Safety Commissioner.
'Significant powers'
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The commissioner will devise binding online safety codes, setting out how regulated online services - including certain social media services - are expected to deal with certain defined categories of harmful online content on their platforms: criminal material, serious cyber-bullying material, and material promoting self-harm, suicide, and eating disorders.
Significant powers will be afforded to the commissioner to carry out investigations and impose sanctions for non-compliance of online safety codes, including financial sanctions of up to €20 million or 10 per cent of turnover.
'Accountability and protection'
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Minister Naughton said she hopes such sanctions “will have a significant impact” on social media giants and force them to “build safety into the design and development” of their platforms.
“We can always strive to do more when it comes to protecting people online,” said Minister Naughton. “I firmly believe the Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill will pave the way towards accountability in the sector and the protection of all in the online world, particularly young and vulnerable people.”
