FACEBOOK ‘HASN’T CHANGED VIDEO POLICIES’

...and, amazingly, they don’t want a watchdog either!

FACEBOOK is also to voice ‘concerns’ about the proposal to establish a Digital Safety Commissioner when its representatives appears before an Oireachtas committee today – even though such a watchdog is supported by all the Opposition parties.

While a submission from the social networking site says it understands the ‘motivation’ and ‘appeal’ in having an independent digital watchdog, it also raises concerns with aspects of the Bill.

Facebook claims a social media regulator could damage freedom of expression – even though all other Irish media, including RTÉ and newspapers, have similar watchdogs.

The document refers to Sinn Féin’s Bill for a digital czar, which is at committee stage and is based upon the 2016 Law Reform Commission report which outlines ‘accepted definitions’ of ‘harmful communications’ as being things such as revenge porn, stalking and intimidating messages. But Facebook’s submission states: ‘The proposed Bill is unclear as to what, precisely, constitutes a “harmful communication”. No definition is included in the draft legislation, but (from the drafting of the Bill) it appears that this concept is intended to be broader than content that is clearly criminal in nature… this will lead to uncertainty and unpredictability.’

Facebook also raised concerns that it could have an impact for the ‘freedom of expression’.

It said that while it would ‘clearly not be the intention of this Bill to impact on free speech in Ireland, the commissioner’s ability to issue a decision ordering the removal of “harmful communications” without allowing an opportunity for the digital service undertaking to appeal, ought to be considered in light of the potential for limiting freedom of expression.

‘Therefore, we believe it is important to have a clear definition of what constitutes a harmful communication included in the legislation.’