The Media, Internet & Data Protection Bar Association (MIDBA) is holding its annual conference with topics such as online harms, social media bans and data protection among the topics being discussed.
In a keynote speech, the President of the High Court, Mr Justice David Barniville reflected on how the Irish courts, legislature and legal sector are responding to the demands of a tech-driven society.
He addressed the attractiveness of Ireland as a centre for litigation involving new technologies, and the growing role that bodies such as the Data Protection Commission and the Online Safety Commission have in regulating the activities of the large social media platforms.
A panel discussion at the event will focus on the prospect of a social media ban for under 16s, following on from a similar move in Australia.
Another discussion will focus on media law in the digital age.
As the line between publisher and user blurs, the panel will examine the growing pressures on defamation law and the responsibilities of digital platforms.
Also addressed at the conference will be the emerging legal questions posed by artificial intelligence (AI).
“From data access laws being used as litigation tools, to children’s digital rights, to the reality that everyone is now a publisher of potentially defamatory material —these are not abstract, theoretical debates,” said Michael O’Doherty BL, Chair of MIDBA
“These are live issues for regulators, courts and clients,” Mr O’Doherty said.
In addition to members of the Law Library practicing in media and data protection law, guest speakers at today’s conference include Alex Cooney, CEO of CyberSafeKids, Paula Mullooly, General Counsel at A&L Goodbody; Johnny Ryan of the Irish Council of Civil Liberties; and Paul Tweed, Partner at WP Tweed & Co.
