The media watchdog Coimisiún na Meán (CnaM) has designated video-sharing platforms as a category of relevant online services under broadcasting legislation.

This means that online-safety codes developed by the regulator may apply to providers of such services under the jurisdiction of the State.

CnaM has described the designation, announced after a consultation process, as “a procedural first step” in ensuring that video-sharing platforms comply with any requirements of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 that set up the new watchdog.

The designation will take effect from 11 September.

New framework

The 2022 act established a new regulatory framework for online safety, and transposed into Irish law the revised Audio-Visual Media Services Directive (AVMS Directive).

The legislation applies to broadcasting services, on-demand audio-visual media services and video-sharing platform services established in the State on an EU-wide basis.

Video-sharing platforms include services such as YouTube, and video content shared on other social-media platforms.