Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I understand from people who are much more familiar with and have much greater knowledge of social media than me that, as part of the online safety code, a ban on recommender system algorithms should be considered. These systems collect and analyse sensitive data of social media users. This data is then used to determine what content those users see. Recommender system algorithms are spreading misinformation and disinformation and, in some cases, inciting hatred and violence, as the Minister mentioned. Due to these algorithms, harmful content is flooding social media users’ feeds, creating echo chambers of disinformation. It is worrying that recommender system algorithms are spreading harmful material, including that which promotes eating disorders, self-harm or suicide to vulnerable young people.

I will ask something of the Minister, although I am sure she has done so many times.

When the Minister has the opportunity at the meeting with social media platforms, I ask her to ask them to address those particular issues. It is a blight on society if our regulatory systems continue to allow such behaviour and use of social media platforms to do so much harm to so many people, and not just to individuals but to families, communities and society in general.

See this speech in context