Anne Rabbitte
Question:394. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to introduce a digital safety commissioner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9459/17]
View answerThursday, 23 February 2017
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The Law Reform Commission Report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety, which was published in September 2016, recommends the reform of Criminal Law in relation to a number of issues that arise in the context of society’s growing use of online communications, include the posting of online intimate images without consent, cyber-bullying, online harassment and stalking, and new types of voyeurism. In December, the Minister for Justice and Equality announced that her Department would draft the heads of a Bill aimed at dealing with these issues, along the lines of the draft legislation contained in the LRC's report.
The report also proposes the establishment of a Digital Safety Commissioner to promote digital safety and oversee efficient take-down procedures to ensure that harmful communications can be removed as quickly as possible from social media sites.
I confirm that I intend to meet with my colleagues, the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, to progress the Report's proposal to establish a Digital Safety Commissioner.