Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Points were made specifically in regard to this important part of the Bill. I closely followed the deliberations of the Oireachtas joint committee, where it was widely debated. I commend the committee on its deliberations at pre-legislative scrutiny stage. These were concerns that were raised in pre-legislative scrutiny, as Deputy Ó Broin mentioned. They are fundamental citizens’ rights and fundamental to the robustness of our democracy and, from that point of view, they are very important to us. I appreciate the comments made by Deputy Howlin in regard to the collegiate nature of bringing the Bill to this stage. I want to reassure the Deputies that the Attorney General has been central to the drafting of these amendments.

The definition of an online platform is consistent with the definition in Part 4 of the Bill. Specific questions were raised by Deputy Ó Broin in regard to definitions. First, “disinformation” is defined in the new Part 5 to refer to false or misleading content that is spread with the intention to deceive and which may cause public harm. Second, “misinformation” is broadly taken to mean false or misleading content shared without harmful intent, though the effects may still be harmful. Finally, a broad principled approach is taken with regard to the meaning of “manipulative or inauthentic behaviour”, given this type of behaviour is ever-evolving, as Deputy Ó Broin said. In this regard, “manipulative or inauthentic behaviour” means tactics, techniques and procedures that constitute a deceptive use of services or features provided by an online platform, including user conduct, having the object of artificially amplifying the reach or perceived public support of particular content; are likely to influence the information visible to other users of the platform; by reason of their nature, character, context or any other relevant circumstance give rise to the inference that they are intended to result in the dissemination, publication or increased circulation of false or misleading online electoral information; and may cause public harm. I hope that is some clarification of the question the Deputy has asked.

See this speech in context