New plan for selfies to be uploaded before viewing pornography, revealed
Online safety code to protect underage internet users is put to public
Views sought on the proposal of introducing a selfie verification to watch pornography online has been established.
Coimisiún na Meán, Ireland’s new body for regulating online media, has opened a public consultation on its draft Online Safety Code for video-sharing platform services.
This includes that of pornography and over 18 online content, including violent and other videos of a harmful nature.
The new rules proposed by the regulator would include uploading a selfie or passport/official documentation to verify age before being permitted access to a website.
This aims to block underage access to harmful content, but the media watchdog has said that no one form of verification can be 100% effective in preventing children from seeing inappropriate material.
“We care much more about the effectiveness than how it’s [Online Safety Code] achieved,” said Coimisiún na Meán executive chairperson Jeremy Godfrey.
“There are other ways people could consider, like a live selfie each time you want to access it and using biometrics to check.
"It’s less accurate, it might be hard to distinguish between a 17 and 18-year-old that way, but it will protect younger children.”
Once finalised, the Code will be legally binding on designated video-sharing platforms based in Ireland. Coimisiún na Meán will be able to impose fines of up to €20 million for breaches of the Code.
Online safety commissioner, Niamh Hodnett, said: “Coimisiún na Meán is determined to use its full suite of powers to keep people safe online. We are now inviting members of the public to have their say in this critical part of our new online safety regime.
“Once the consultation closes, we will move to finalise Ireland’s first online safety code. This effective regulation of video-sharing platforms will significantly reduce the potential harms that these services can cause to children and young people.”
The consultation is open for responses until Friday, January 19, 2024.