The Irish media regulator published an “online safety code” on October 21 that will impose stricter control of their content on video-sharing platforms with European headquarters in Ireland from next month.
Encouraged by attractive taxation, many technological giants, such as Google (parent of YouTube), Meta (parent of Facebook or Instagram), Microsoft (parent of Linkedin), Tiktok or X (formerly Twitter), have set up their European headquarters there.
Protect children
This code will impose obligations on platforms “to protect people, in particular children”, against “harmful” content, said in a statement the Coimisiún na Meán (Media Commission), in charge in particular of online safety.
Under these new rules, platforms will be prohibited from tolerating the posting or sharing of content that bullies, incites self-harm or suicide, or promotes eating disorders. Incitement to hatred or violence, terrorism, child pornography, racism and xenophobia will also be prohibited, the regulator said in its press release.
Affected companies could face fines of up to 10% of their annual turnover.
Stricter age control
The platforms will also have to ensure that their users are of the required age, “to prevent children from encountering gratuitous pornography or violence”, but will also offer parental control functions.
The obligations will apply starting next month, although the platforms will have up to nine months to update their computer systems.
In January, the regulator designated ten services as video-sharing platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Udemy, Tiktok, Linkedin, X, Pinterest, Tumblr and Reddit. The code will apply to nine of the ten platforms, and Reddit won the right to appeal its designation.
TikTok, for its part, “welcomed” the introduction of the online security code on Monday, a company spokesperson told AFP shortly after the Irish announcement.
Source: BFM TV
