Online safety pack launched for Election 24 candidates

An Garda Síochána and the media regulator, Coimisiún na Meán, have launched an information pack with online safety advice for General Election candidates.

The aim of the guide is to provide information on the roles of An Garda Síochána and Coimisiún na Meán, and to offer advice to candidates on what to do when they are faced with harmful and/or illegal content or behaviour online.

The pack contains information on different types of scenarios that might arise during the campaign and what steps candidates can take.

It also has details of the reporting channels to use for various different platforms when people suspect illegal content online.

Coimisiún na Meán has set up a dedicated email address for election candidates who wish to raise concerns, and the regulator said it will prioritise responses to such queries.

Threats to safety

If candidates receive online threats and are in fear for their immediate safety, they are advised to contact An Garda Síochána.

"A threat to life invokes a response under Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights 'Right to Life', placing an obligation on authorities to take reasonable steps to protect a person whose life is in danger," the guide states.

"Secondly, even where posts may not have a threat to life, some of these online messages could be illegal," it states.

"It is important everyone feels free to participate in the electoral process, whether they are engaging in real life or online," said Deputy Commissioner, Policing Operations at An Garda Síochána, Shawna Coxon.

"That is why An Garda Síochána and Coimisiun na Meán are working together to support our democracy by keeping people safe online during this election," she said.

'Deepfake' videos

'Deepfakes' are manipulated videos, images or audio that are often created using artificial intelligence (AI).

The guide advises that if a candidate finds a deepfake of themselves online they should report it to the platform.

"Some platforms do not allow disinformation, for example, and deepfakes would fall within this," the guide states.

It also outlines that under the EU's set of online safety rules, the Digital Services Act (DSA), it is recommended under election guidelines that deepfakes be clearly labelled or have appropriate markings to indicate that it is manipulated content.

John Evans, Digital Services Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán said they are engaging with online platforms on their preparations for the election.

"We expect them to play their part in ensuring that people can make free, fair and informed choices about where to cast their vote," Mr Evans said.

"We want our media landscape to support democracy and electoral integrity, and we hope that this information pack will help candidates understand their rights online and where to turn to for help, if needed.

Ahead of the recent local and European elections, An Garda Síochána appointed liaison inspectors in each division nationwide to help keep all those participating in the elections safe while campaigning.

These divisional liaison inspectors will also be available to candidates in the forthcoming General Election.