Fury over abuse at irish HQ
Minister to hold talks with social media giants
COMMUNICATIONS Minister Denis Naughten is meeting Facebook executives in New York today over the shock revelations about its Dublin HQ.
A Channel 4 Dispatches report claimed the world’s top social media company is allowing disgusting and disturbing posts to remain online – despite requests for their removal.
The documentary claimed Facebook is happy to publish videos showing child abuse, school kids fighting and appalling animal cruelty.
Mr Naughten said: “The programme raises serious questions for the company in respect of the manner in which it handles reports of harmful or illegal content on its platform.
“Clearly Facebook has failed to meet the standards the public rightly expects of it. I have sought an urgent meeting with Facebook management and this meeting is taking place here in New York today.”
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he found the revelations “most unacceptable”.
He added what was most shocking and unacceptable was that Facebook had not lived up to its own standards.
Labour’s justice spokesman criticised the Government’s handling of digital safety.
Sean Sherlock said: “It has decided social media companies should be allowed to continue in a libertarian way.
“This runs contrary to the Government’s previous commitment it would regulate atrocious behaviour by appointing a Digital Safety Commissioner.
“Instead of sticking to their promise the Government chose to trust companies who do not have a track record of trust in this area.”
Facebook has failed to meet the standards expected of it Minister Denis naughten YESTERDAY