Coimisiún na Meán to oversee terrorist content penalties

The media regulator Coimisiún na Meán has been designated as the competent Irish authority to impose penalties on hosting service providers who do not comply with their obligations under the EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation.

The regulation provides an EU-wide mechanism for the speedy removal of terrorist content online by hosting service providers following the issue of removal orders by EU law enforcement agencies.

An Garda Síochána is the authority competent in Ireland for issuing removal orders.

Coimisiún na Meán will now have the power to impose administrative fines on hosting service providers up to 4% of global turnover, for infringements of the regulation.

Terrorist content refers to material shared online that, directly or indirectly, such as by the glorification of terrorist acts, advocates the commission of terrorist offences.

The regulation covers content that solicits a person or a group of persons to commit or contribute to the commission of a terrorist offence or to participate in the activities of a terrorist group.

Also covered is content that provides instructions on the making or use of explosives, firearms or other weapons, or content that constitutes a threat to commit a terrorist offence.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said she was very pleased to designate Coimisiún na Meán as the competent authority for imposing penalties for non-compliance with requirements under the Terrorist Content Online Regulation.

"We have already implemented a number of the necessary measures including the designation of An Garda Síochána as the competent authority to issue removal orders to online service providers," Ms McEntee said.

"An Garda Síochána play a vital role in this respect and aligns with their mission of Keeping People Safe.

"Coimisiún na Meán will now play an equally important role in collecting fines from those providers who do not fully adhere to An Garda Síochána's orders.

"We will see a State-wide response to tackling harmful and corrosive content online, content which can motivate people to do real world harm," she added.