Ms Jennifer O'Sullivan:

I thank Deputy Chambers for his question. The office is examining the issue using a multi-pronged approach. At European level we are working with our colleagues in the European Data Protection Board as part of a subgroup that examines social media and the targeting of individuals through social media. We are working on the issue in a very universal way, which would include the targeting of vulnerable individuals such as gambling addicts that were mentioned by the Deputy. The Data Protection Commission is comprehensively examining the issue. During 2018, we established a technology leadership unit, which is doing significant research into the area of advertising technology or adtech that touches on some of the issues that have been mentioned. We are also examining complaints and submissions from various groups who are concerned about the area and we are very carefully examining our statutory steps on that.