Facebook to attend Communications Committee meeting as part of hearings to examine impact of social media on elections

The schedule for the meeting is:

i.    Recent revelations in relation to the use of social media and its potential influence on previous and future Elections and Referenda   [Data Protection Commissioner]

ii.    Detailed scrutiny of the Online Advertising and Social Media (Transparency) Bill 2017 and recent revelations in relation to the use of social media and its potential influence on previous and future Elections and Referenda [Representatives from Facebook]

Committee Chair Hildegarde Naughton said: “There has been considerable debate in recent years on the role social media has played in elections and political campaigns. Social media has revolutionised and changed the nature of political campaigning globally. Therefore, it is important that we analyse and understand the impact social media has had on the democratic process and on elections and referenda in the past and how it may impact on the democratic process in the future. Tomorrow we will examine this issue in greater detail with Facebook Vice President of Global Policy Joel Kaplan; Head of Public Policy, Facebook Ireland Niamh Sweeney; and Data Protection Commissioner Helen Dixon. The Committee will also discuss the Online Advertising and Social Media (Transparency) Bill 2017 with the Facebook representatives.”

This meeting will start at 2pm on Tuesday, 17 April 2018 in Committee Room 4, Leinster House. You can watch proceedings here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.