Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Briefly, on the section, I wish to highlight three issues with intention for discussion on Report Stage. I spoke on the consultation periods, but I also believe there should be more regular reviews of the media service codes. I will be bringing amendments requiring that media service codes would be reviewed on a regular basis in order we do not have, for example, imbedded poor practices that are ineffectual or loopholes. We should not have a situation whereby certain actors end up with far more lenient media service codes than those who may be subject to later media service codes. In that regard, I will table amendments in respect of when media service codes and media service rules might be reviewed.

I also will indicate that in terms of public consultation, it is important that we clarify where the information on that public consultation might be, particularly as we are dealing with an online space. It would be important that it is not a situation whereby people have to check the commission’s website, for example, or others. There should be other proper measures in terms of how it would be communicated, possibly through the media services, which are regulated by the codes.

Lastly, I regret the fact that our amendments in respect of the use of algorithms profiling and microtargeting were not found to be in order. I again challenge this. It is important that we address conduct and processes that impact on minors, including the microtargeting, profiling and the gathering of the data of children. Yet another new example was given to me today in respect of educational services that children access, which harvest their data and are then perhaps open to commercial targeting. It is another example whereby it should not be the fact that an online educational service targeted at an age group of minors should be able to in any way, commercially or otherwise, share that information. I draw the Minister’s attention to how this is an issue that Senator Ruane and I successfully addressed in the Data Protection Act, one of the provisions of which has not been commenced. This would be an opportunity for the Government to address any concerns it may have concerns in relation to the wording of that section of the Act, which was agreed by the Oireachtas. It is a section of the Act but it has not been commenced. This is the opportunity to address that issue properly and appropriately in this legislation.

Again, I wish to indicate my intentions in relation to addressing these issues further on Report Stage.