Coimisiún na Meán has confirmed its engagement with social media giants following their misuse in organising violent riots in Dublin. The move comes in the aftermath of a heinous attack on children and their caretakers in the city centre, where media reports and unverified information circulated rapidly on platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, Facebook, and TikTok.
As the public speculated on the incident, far-right users propagated theories about the attacker’s nationality, contributing to the eruption of riots in Dublin. Amidst the chaos, questions arise regarding the role of Big Tech platforms in disseminating hate speech and misinformation.
Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland’s regulatory authority for online safety and media regulation, expressed concerns to major platforms about the online sharing of graphic content related to the incident. The commission emphasised the potential for violence incitement against individuals or groups and invoked the EU Digital Services Act, compelling large online platforms to address risks to public security.
In response to the events, Coimisiún na Meán contacted the platforms, urging them to activate incident response plans. Ongoing discussions aim to gather information on the platforms’ responses and their strategies for handling future issues. The regulatory body is also coordinating with law enforcement, emphasising the evolving landscape of online safety and the ongoing legislative efforts by the Irish government to regulate hate speech.
The commission warned of the risks associated with disinformation and misinformation in modern democracies, urging the public to verify the accuracy of information regardless of the source, especially during high-profile incidents.
https://x.com/HMcEntee/status/1727771608733933890?s=20
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