TikTok, X, YouTube, Meta, LinkedIn, Temu, Pinterest, Shein, Etsy, Dropbox, Hostelworld and Tumblr have been issued with formal requests for information to ensure they are complying with their obligations under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA).

Under the DSA, online platforms must have easy to access and user-friendly ways for users to report illegal content (Article 16 of the DSA). They must also have a clear and accessible point of contact for users to contact them (Article 12).

Coimisiún na Meán is responsible for making sure that all platforms with their EU headquarters in Ireland follow these rules, while working closely with the European Commission and other online safety regulators across Europe.

All of the platforms are being asked for information about their compliance with their Article 12 obligations, but Meta and Shein are not being asked about their Article 16 obligations because of existing probes by the European Commission.

John Evans, digital services commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, said: “The DSA is a landmark law aimed at creating a safer and fairer online environment for users. However, its effectiveness for Irish and EU citizens hinges on the full implementation of its provisions by platforms.

“Of the complaints we have from people in Ireland and across Europe about online platforms, one in three are about problems when reporting illegal content online. We are intervening now to ensure that platforms follow the rules so that people can effectively exercise their rights under the DSA.’”

Niamh Hodnett, online safety commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, added: “We are committed to using the full range of powers available under our online safety framework to hold platforms to account for keeping people safe online.

“Through the DSA, our upcoming online safety code and the EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation, we are working towards a digital landscape where adults and children can go online without fear of being harmed by the content or behaviour they come across.

“When people see illegal content, they should report it to the platform where they saw it and if they aren’t satisfied with the platform’s response, or if they can’t find an easy way to report the content, they should get in touch with us.”