The media and online-safety regulator has begun a review of whether online platforms are adequately facilitating the reporting of illegal content.

Coimisiún na Meán (CnaM) said that it was concerned that people were having difficulty reporting such content.

It has now started a formal review to ensure that the platforms are complying with the Digital Services Act (DSA), which requires them to act on reports of illegal content.

CnaM said that its concern followed an initial review, alongside information gathered from its contact centre and complaints passed on by other European regulators.

Points of contact

It cited DSA provisions requiring online platforms to have easy-to-access and user-friendly ways for users to report illegal content, as well as clear and accessible points of contact for users.

CnaM is responsible for making sure that all platforms with their EU headquarters in Ireland follow these rules.

It has now issued formal requests for information to a range of platforms for "further comprehensive detail" on their approach to reporting options for illegal content and points of contact for users.

Compliance

The regulator says that, once this phase is complete, it will engage with the platforms to ensure that their reporting mechanisms and point of contacts comply with the requirements of the DSA.

Where concerns remain, CnaM can issue a compliance notice directing platforms to address any shortcomings identified in their systems and processes.

If this does not lead to changes and improvements, it can open a formal investigation. CnaM can impose sanctions if the investigation leads to a finding of non-compliance.

Complaints

John Evans (CnaM Digital Services Commissioner) said that the DSA was aimed at creating a safer and fairer online environment for users, but its effectiveness hinged on the full implementation of its provisions by platforms.

“Of the complaints we have from people in Ireland and across Europe about online platforms, one in three are about problems when reporting illegal content online.

“We are intervening now to ensure that platforms follow the rules so that people can effectively exercise their rights under the DSA,” he stated.

The Online Safety Commissioner Niamh Hodnett said: “When people see illegal content, they should report it to the platform where they saw it and, if they aren’t satisfied with the platform’s response, or if they can’t find an easy way to report the content, they should get in touch with us.”

The platforms being contacted are:

• TikTok,
• X,
• YouTube,
• Meta,
• LinkedIn,
• Temu,
• Pinterest,
• Shein,
• Etsy,
• Dropbox,
• Hostelworld, and
• Tumblr.