TikTok, Shein and more apps targeted for 'formal' review by Coimisiún na Meán
Regulator opens review of online platforms over difficulties reporting illegal content
Ireland's media regulator has begun a review into a number of online platforms due to concerns they make it difficult to report illegal content.
Coimisiún na Meán has issued formal requests for information to the platforms for further details on their approach to reporting options for illegal content and points of contact for users.
Companies that have been contacted include social media giants TikTok, X, YouTube, Meta; shopping apps such as Temu, Shein and Etsy, as well as LinkedIn, Pinterest, Dropbox, Hostelworld and Tumblr.
Coimisiún na Meán said that, following an initial review, it is concerned that people are having difficulty reporting illegal content to these platforms.
Under the EU's set of online safety rules, the Digital Services Act (DSA), online platforms are required to act on reports of illegal content.
Online platforms must have easy to access and user-friendly ways for users to report illegal content, along with clear and accessible point of contact for users.
Coimisiún na Meán is responsible for making sure that all platforms with their EU headquarters in Ireland follow these rules.
They have set the formal review in motion to ensure that these platforms are complying with their obligations under the DSA.
Speaking to RTÉ, President of Global Affairs at Meta, Nick Clegg said the company has been "working hard since the DSA came into force last November to respond to these new rules and adapt the existing safety systems".
He added that Meta, owner of Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram, is taking the DSA seriously, and that "we assembled one of the largest cross-functional teams in our history, with over 1,000 people currently working on the DSA, to develop solutions to the DSA’s requirements".