Coimisiún na Meán determines when it is appropriate for designated video sharing platform services to use age verification under Ireland's online safety code. To support this, officials in my Department are working with the Government’s Chief Information Officer and his office on an age verification tool as part of the Government's digital wallet being developed using MyGovID.
The specifics of the pilot, which will be led by the Office of the Chief Government Information Officer, are yet to be finalised, but it is intended that the experience and results emerging from the pilot will inform the final shape of the initiative and legislative provisions that are required. It is not intended that the Government's digital wallet will be the only option for platforms to meet their age verification requirements but that it will provide a privacy perserving and secure option that respects users' rights and helps to safeguard children.
Promoting awareness of online safety is a whole-of-Government priority and a whole-of-society challenge. Coimisiún na Meán, as Ireland's online safety regulator, has an important role and has and is continuing to promote awareness through a range of campaigns. Encouraging participation in the pilot is important and this will be addressed as part of its implementation and why I have sought the support of the platforms.
I also plan to make online safety a key theme of Ireland's Presidency of the European Union next year. In this context, the EU Audio Visual Media Services Directive, which is the basis for Ireland's Online Safety Code, will be evaluated over the coming year. Further measures are likely to be proposed at European level during Ireland's Presidency, and Ireland will work with all stakeholders to ensure that additional legislative proposals are robust in addressing harms posed to children online.
