The Irish Internet Hotline has been designated as a “Trusted Flagger” under the European Union’s Digital Services Act (DSA) by Comisiún na Meán.
Trusted Flaggers are independent entities designated to identify and report illegal online content.
Platforms are required to prioritise and process notices submitted by Trusted Flaggers without undue delay.
Established in 1999, the Irish Internet Hotline combats illegal online content, with a particular focus on child sexual abuse material, as well as other forms of illegal content within its remit.
“The designation reflects the expertise and experience our team has developed in identifying and reporting illegal content within our areas of competency,” said Mick Moran, CEO of the Irish Internet Hotline.
“Trusted Flagger status formalises an approach we’ve already been taking for nearly three decades and strengthens our ability to ensure that high-quality reports are prioritised and acted on appropriately,” Mr Moran said.
The Irish Internet Hotline is Ireland’s national reporting centre where members of the public can report suspected illegal and harmful online content in a secure and anonymous way, particularly child sexual abuse material.
Coimisiún na Meán has also granted Trusted Flagger status to the Irish Music Rights Organisation (IMRO), and the Jewish Representative Council of Ireland (JRCI).
The three bodies will join the Central Bank of Ireland, which was awarded Trusted Flagger status in April of last year.
“By empowering these organisations with Trusted Flagger status, we are maximising the impact of our regulatory framework in order to minimise online harms to the public,” said Digital Services Commissioner, John Evans.
“Reports from Trusted Flaggers will also feed into Coimisiún na Meán’s identification of trends and issues via annual reports, which will be instrumental in establishing an informed, evidence-based approach to our supervision of online platforms.”
