# Ireland

**Ireland**
Ireland’s online safety regime is anchored in the [Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022](https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/act/41/enacted/en/html" target="_blank" rel="noopener), which established a single statutory regulator, [Coimisiún na Meán](https://www.cnam.ie/" target="_blank" rel="noopener). The Commission is responsible for protecting users, particularly children, from harmful online content and practices.
Coimisiún na Meán replaced the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland and regulates both broadcasting and online media services.
**Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022**
The Act provides the statutory basis for:

Regulation of broadcasting and online media
Adoption and enforcement of an Online Safety Code
Oversight of harmful online content

**Coimisiún na Meán**
Coimisiún na Meán is responsible for:

Enforcing Ireland’s [Online Safety Code](https://www.cnam.ie/industry-and-professionals/online-safety-framework/online-safety-code/" target="_blank" rel="noopener)
Monitoring harmful online content, including:

Child sexual abuse material
Extreme violence
AI-generated harmful content


Issuing compliance notices and administrative sanctions
Acting as Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator under the [EU Digital Services Act (DSA)](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/digital-services-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener)

The Commission may impose significant financial penalties for non-compliance.
**Online Safety Code**
From July 2025, Ireland’s Online Safety Code introduced binding requirements for certain categories of online platforms, particularly:

Video-sharing platforms
Platforms hosting adult or extremely violent content

Key requirements include:

Implementation of effective age assurance measures to prevent children from accessing unsuitable material
Risk mitigation measures for harmful content
Compliance reporting and cooperation with the regulator

Penalties for non-compliance can reach:

Up to €20 million, or
10% of annual turnover, where applicable

Major global platforms have deployed age assurance measures in Ireland in response to these obligations.
**Ireland’s National Age-Verification Tool (“Mini-Wallet”)**
In 2025, the Irish government confirmed it is developing a national age-verification tool integrated with [MyGovID](https://www.mygovid.ie/" target="_blank" rel="noopener).[[1]](#_ftn1" name="_ftnref1)
Key features include:

Designed as a privacy-preserving age assurance solution
Intended to provide an alternative to private-sector ID scanning
Developed to assist platforms in meeting the requirements of the July 2025 Online Safety Code

The tool is not currently mandatory for all websites but is intended to support compliance with age assurance obligations under Irish law.
**GDPR and Children’s Data**
The [EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)](https://gdpr-info.eu/" target="_blank" rel="noopener) applies directly in Ireland.
GDPR requires personal data to be processed lawfully and imposes enhanced safeguards for children’s data.
Implications for online services include:

Services must not rely on consent unless they can reliably establish a user’s age
Where the digital age of consent applies, platforms must verify eligibility before relying on consent
Processing of children’s data and special category data requires:

Heightened safeguards
Risk assessments



Ireland’s [Data Protection Commission (DPC)](https://www.dataprotection.ie/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener) enforces GDPR, particularly for major technology companies headquartered in Ireland. Coimisiún na Meán must take data protection compliance into account when applying online safety obligations.
**Digital Services Act (DSA)**
The [Digital Services Act (DSA)](https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/digital-services-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener) applies directly in Ireland.
Under [Article 28 DSA](https://www.eu-digital-services-act.com/Digital_Services_Act_Article_28.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener), platforms likely to be accessed by minors must take appropriate and proportionate measures to protect children, including:

Restricting access to harmful or age-inappropriate content
Protecting minors’ privacy, safety and security
Addressing systemic risks linked to recommender systems and platform design

In July 2025, the European Commission issued child safety guidelines under Article 28. While not legally binding, these guidelines are widely treated as practical compliance benchmarks.
As Ireland’s Digital Services Coordinator, Coimisiún na Meán supervises DSA compliance domestically in cooperation with EU institutions.
[[1]](#_ftnref1" name="_ftn1) [https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debateRecord/joint_committee_on_arts_media_communications_culture_and_sport/2025-11-26/debate/mul%40/main.pdf](https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debateRecord/joint_committee_on_arts_media_communications_culture_and_sport/2025-11-26/debate/mul%40/main.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener)?
 

					**PLEASE NOTE**
This page summarises current law and proposals and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult independent legal advisers before making compliance decisions.