In a move to tackle the wild west of the internet, Taoiseach Simon Harris is set to lead a high-stakes summit on online safety this Thursday. The gathering at Government Buildings will bring together ministers, gardaí, and regulators in a united front against digital dangers.
The summit aims to put some muscle behind Ireland’s new Online Safety Framework, with top brass from various commissions and regulatory bodies joining the pow-wow. On the guest list are heavy hitters like Coimisiún na Meán and the Data Protection Commission, among others.
Harris, rolling up his sleeves for the task, declared, “We’re at a crossroads in digital regulation. It’s high time we level the playing field between the online and offline worlds when it comes to following the law.”
The Taoiseach isn’t mincing words about the urgency of the situation, especially when it comes to protecting the young and vulnerable online. With new tools like the Online Safety Code and the Digital Services Act in their arsenal, the Government is keen to show they mean business.
But it’s not all closed-door meetings with the bigwigs. Harris plans to lend an ear to the everyday folk too, including children and vulnerable groups who navigate the treacherous waters of the internet daily.
As Ireland takes its place at the forefront of EU digital regulation, all eyes will be on this summit to see if it can turn the tide on online safety concerns. With the Taoiseach at the helm, the message is clear: the days of the internet’s lawless frontier may be numbered.
According to the Irish Examiner, this summit marks a significant step in Ireland’s efforts to create a safer online environment, balancing user protection with industry certainty in an increasingly digital world.