Coimisiún na Meán: public consultation on Ireland’s first Online Safety Code
Summary
Irish regulator launches a consultation on binding rules for video-sharing platforms to keep adults and children safe online On 8 december 2023, the Coimisiún na Meán (CNaM) opened a public consultation on the first draft of the Irish Online Safety Code. A first version of the Code, built on the views collected during summer among the civil society and the industry, is now open to public consultation. Under the code, online platforms under Irish jurisdiction will be obliged to implement on their services features and measures aimed at protecting children and the general public from: - regulated harmful content (such as cyber-bullying, age-inappropriate content, encouragement of self-harm, incitement of violence based on discriminatory grounds) - harmful audiovisual commercial communications (such as advertising exploiting children credulity, promoting discrimination or encouraging unhealthy behaviour). Designated online platforms will face significant fines (up to 10% of the relevant annual turnover or €20 million) if they do not implement effective protective measures on their services. The publication of the draft Code is a milestone in the move from self-regulation by platforms to effective regulation".