Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 March 2023
266. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media her plans to protect LGBTQ+ teens from hate and harassment on social media, as well as to prevent harmful anti-LGBT ads from being targeted towards them; and if she will consider working with the Data Protection Commission to ensure gay teens' data is kept private and not used against them in online spaces. [14967/23]
View answerThe Online Safety and Media Regulation Act was commenced on 15 March 2023 and marks the formal establishment of a new regulator, Coimisiún na Meán. The Act provides for a regulatory framework for online safety and An Coimisiún will enforce that framework, primarily through the making of binding online safety codes by an Online Safety Commissioner within An Coimisiún.
Online safety codes will require designated online services to take measures to tackle the availability of defined categories of harmful online content. This includes online content linked to 42 listed offences, such as offences in relation to harassment and abusive messaging under Coco’s Law (the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020) and incitement to hatred under the Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act, 1989.
Coimisiún na Meán has a suite of enforcement powers available to it, including the power to seek the imposition of financial sanctions of up to €20 million or 10% of turnover for contraventions of online safety codes.
In light of the impact that certain kinds of harmful online content has on LGBTQ+ people, particularly young people, this legislation and the establishment of An Coimisiún are important steps forward in safeguarding these communities.
My Department is engaging with the Department of Justice to ensure that any forthcoming changes in criminal law in relation to incitement to hatred and harassment are reflected in the regulatory framework for online safety.
Addressing harmful online content that is targeted at particular groups raises data protection and privacy issues. While the Data Protection Commission has statutory responsibility for these matters in Ireland, An Coimisiún will engage with the DPC and other relevant digital regulators on matters of common interest.
