Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 20 March 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications

Social Media: Discussion (Resumed) with Google and Digital Rights Ireland

10:10 am

Ms Sue Duke:

I might ask Ms Frank to say a few words on how organisations are working on this issue at European level, which will speak to the Deputy's question about different cultures, languages, etc. She is our dedicated liaison person for the Insafe project and, therefore, can give the committee a sense of how this is working for all 27 member states.

We have a dedicated legal department looking at these issues around the globe around the clock. We make sure we have people dedicated to reviewing complaints in order that content is taken down as quickly as possible.

With regard to how people are identified on the platform, we have two options. One can use one's real name or a pseudonym. Some people want to use their real name because they are retailers and want to build an awareness of their product and interact directly with people, while others use pseudonyms because they feel more comfortable expressing themselves using a pseudonym. I am aware this issue has been discussed at recent hearings, but this has been a huge help in allowing people to express themselves freely. The Minister, for example, mentioned the Arab spring, which has given a huge fillip to freedom of expression around the world.