Following the consultation, the Coimisiún na Meán (CnaM) has today, 14 August 2023, published notice of the designation of video-sharing platform services (VSPSs) as a category of relevant online services the providers of which are under the jurisdiction of Ireland. This designation becomes effective on 11 September 2023.
Online Safety
Commissioner for Digital Services in Coimisiún na Meán to be Appointed
On 19 July 2023, the Irish Government announced their intention to appoint John Evans as the Digital Services Commissioner in Coimisiún na Meán (CnaM). His appointment will take effect from 24 July 2023.
As per Head 6 of the General Scheme of the Digital Services Bill which was published by the Irish government…
Coimisiún na Meán releases its Work Programme for 2023

Introduction
Following its establishment earlier this year, Coimisiún na Meán (the CNM) released its first work programme on 20 June 2023. This work programme (the 2023 Programme) sets out the primary objectives of the CNM for 2023 up to February 2024.
The objectives in the 2023 Programme include the following:
- Implementing new
An Garda Síochána appointed as a competent authority under the EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation
On 31 May, Minister for Justice Simon Harris signed the European Union (Online Dissemination of Terrorist Content) (Designation of the Commissioner of the Garda Síochána as a Competent Authority) Regulations 2023 (the Regulations) into law. The Regulations designate An Garda Síochána as:
- the Irish competent authority for issuing removal orders in accordance with

Commission publishes Draft Delegated Act in respect of Audits conducted under DSA
The Commission has published a draft delegated act on audits to be performed very large online platforms (“VLOPs“) and very large online search engines (“VLOSEs“) pursuant to Article 37 of Digital Services Act Regulation (“DSA“) for public feedback.…
Continue Reading Commission publishes Draft Delegated Act in respect of Audits conducted under DSA
Commission Calls for Stakeholder Views on Data Access Mechanism under DSA
Following the first designation of Very Large Online Platforms (“VLOPS“) and Very Large Online Search Engines (“VLOSEs”) under the Digital Services Act Regulation (“DSA“) on 25 April 2023, the European Commission has now announced a call for evidence from stakeholders to inform proposed delegated acts on data access mechanisms.…
Continue Reading Commission Calls for Stakeholder Views on Data Access Mechanism under DSA
European Commission designates VLOPs and VLOSEs under the Digital Services Act
Last week, the European Commission (the Commission) adopted the first designation decisions under the Digital Services Act (DSA) which designated certain services as Very Large Online Platforms (VLOPs) and / or Very Large Online Search Engines (VLOSEs) in accordance with Article 33(4) of the DSA.
17 VLOPs…
DSA: Commission issues guidance on the requirement to publish user numbers in the EU
Yesterday, 01 February 2023, the Commission published guidance on how online platforms and search engines within the scope of the Digital Services Act (DSA) should comply with their obligation to report user numbers in the EU.
As highlighted in our recent update, the DSA requires providers of online platforms and of online search engines to publish, by 17 February 2023, information on the average monthly active recipients of their services in the EU, on their publicly available online interfaces. The number must be calculated as an average over the period of the past six months.
Online platforms/search engines, whose numbers reach the threshold of 45 million average monthly active recipients in the EU, will be designated by the Commission as very large online service providers (VLOPs) or very large online search engines (VLOSEs). However, the Commission is not bound by information provided by online service providers, – it may use other available data or request additional information.
While the guidance is not ground breaking, it provides a helpful interpretation of certain provision of the DSA.
In relation to the calculation of active recipients of the service, the guidance stipulates the following:…
Coimisiún na Meán to be designated as Competent Authority under the EU Terrorist Content Online Regulation
Coimisiún na Meán (the Media Commission), is currently in the process of being established in accordance with the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act (OSMR). Further information on its establishment and the appointment of the first four commissioners to Coimisiún na Meán can be read here.
In addition to its role as…
Appointment of Executive Chairperson and Commissioners to Coimisiún na Meán
Today, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin announced the appointment of four Commissioners to Coimisiún na Meán/the Media Commission. The Media Commission, which is currently in the process of being established in accordance with the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act (OSMR), will act as the supervisory…