The Tánaiste, Simon Harris, has announced plans to implement mandatory age verification systems for social media platforms operating in Ireland, promising severe penalties for companies that fail to comply.
“The idea that the online space can be like the wild west is just not acceptable any more,” Harris declared, signaling a significant shift in the government’s approach to online safety regulation.
The initiative aims to protect younger users from potential harms associated with unrestricted social media access. Under the proposed measures, platforms would be required to verify the age of all users, with companies facing substantial consequences for non-compliance.
According to The Irish Examiner, this move comes amid growing concerns about children’s online safety and follows similar regulatory efforts in other countries. Industry experts anticipate resistance from tech companies, who have historically opposed such verification requirements citing privacy concerns and implementation challenges.
The government has yet to release specific details regarding the verification methods that would be deemed acceptable or the exact nature of the penalties that would be imposed on non-compliant platforms.
Child safety advocates have welcomed Harris’s commitment, while digital rights groups caution that any solution must balance protection with privacy considerations.