Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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I thank Ms Duke and Ms Frank for their attendance and interesting presentation. I have no doubt that they take abuse and inappropriate behaviour online seriously, which is welcome. Will they outline where and how Google and YouTube generate revenue? The more postings, downloads, views and activity on the site, the greater the revenue. The Korean video of "Gangnam Style" generated 1 billion views, which is extraordinary. How does this activity generate revenue for the company and those who upload content?

Suicide was a secondary option in the drop-down menu shown in the presentation. Is there any consideration given by Google to making it a primary option in the drop-down menu? It is becoming a huge issue and this measure may prove helpful.

From what our guests have said, users have protection. They can choose to vary their privacy settings, but subjects of content do not seem to have the same protection. One of my concerns is how the subject, rather than the user, of content might encounter difficulties. This applies not only to the content but also to comments made afterwards. Last night I looked at a music video on YouTube. It was of a folk singer from this country who had passed away. The subject was in a minority group, but it did not take me long to find a comment that any Member would be lambasted for making. It is still online and it is an incitement issue. It may never have been flagged to YouTube. I understand how the rules work with community policing, but it could happen anywhere. If it was flagged by a subject, does YouTube or Google have tracing capabilities? Where content is flagged and being dealt with by someone, is there a timeline, record or log of how the company deals with the report?

Does Google or YouTube work with the office for Internet safety in the Department of Justice and Equality? There are cases in which users violate the rules which are quite strong. I am pleased that the rules are so effective. When users violate them, there are sanctions and they can be suspended. What happens when users violate the law? Does Google or YouTube contact law enforcement agencies directly or leave it to those who have been injured to do so?