GoFundMe and Instagram are launching innovative and new social sharing features to supercharge charity fundraisers and help raise more money for charities.

GoFundMe and Instagram's new integration introduces a range of enhanced features designed to make fundraising more effective and engaging. Charities and fundraising organizers will benefit from enhanced sharing capabilities that allow their fundraisers to stand out in social feeds, making it easier to capture attention and build support.

The integration also provides seamless sharing across Instagram and Instagram Stories, giving fundraisers a wider platform to reach followers and engage their communities.

With native donation experiences built directly into Instagram, users can now donate without leaving the app, simplifying the process and increasing conversion rates. Additionally, real-time dynamic progress bars and a newly designed donate button will inspire immediate action by showing the live impact of contributions, encouraging more people to give and share with their networks.

This integration is set to supercharge fundraising efforts, bringing greater visibility and engagement to causes that matter most.

Speaking about the new integration, GoFundMe CEO, Tim Cadogan says, "Ireland is the most generous country on GoFundMe and that extends to charity. Around one in every five GoFundMe pages in Ireland is for a charity. This integration will unlock powerful new channels for Irish people to raise millions more for charities - and give organisations the tools to inspire a new generation of supporters to make a difference for the causes they care about."

These new features on Instagram are set to officially launch on 31st October, allowing charities and fundraisers to start leveraging the enhanced social sharing and donation tools in the run up to Christmas. With this integration, charities will be able to raise more funds by engaging with their Instagram communities in a seamless, user-friendly way. Additionally, Facebook will soon follow with similar enhancements, expanding the reach of fundraising efforts across both major platforms.

This dual-platform integration will maximize the impact of every fundraiser.

"We are thrilled to introduce new features that will help connect more people with charity fundraisers shared on Facebook and Instagram," said Allison Hartnett, Director of Central Social Impact at Meta. "We have heard from our charity partners that fundraising on their platform of choice is important, and are excited to be working with partners like GoFundMe to expand our offerings for nonprofits."

To enable these new fundraising features, charities will need to ensure they meet a few key requirements. First, they will need to have a Facebook business page, which acts as the foundation for linking their social media presence with the fundraising tools. Next, they'll need a professional Instagram account that is linked to their Facebook page. This connection is crucial as it allows the charity to seamlessly integrate GoFundMe fundraising with Instagram's sharing and donation capabilities.

Finally, charities must be enrolled in Facebook's fundraising tools. This enrolment ensures that the necessary infrastructure is in place to process donations directly through Instagram. Once these steps are completed, charities will be able to leverage the enhanced sharing tools, real-time donation tracking, and dynamic donation options to boost their fundraising efforts and engage with their communities more effectively.

More about Irish Tech News

Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too.

You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news

If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at [email protected] now to discuss.

Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promo...

Three in four workers in Ireland (74%) say there is an issue with discrimination in their workplace, a new survey by Matrix Recruitment has found. Of those, one-third (33%) have personally experienced discrimination, and a quarter (27%) have witnessed and experienced discrimination at work.

The recruitment company published the first part of its annual Workplace Equality Report today, highlighting the more than half of workers in Ireland (57%) who say that their career progression has been hindered by discrimination and three in four (77%) have left or considered leaving a job because of this issue.

According to 36% of respondents, gender discrimination is the most common form of workplace discrimination (up from 25% in 2023). This was followed closely by pay and age discrimination (33% each) and ethnic discrimination (25%).

Speaking about the survey results, Rena Weld, Recruitment Manager at Matrix Recruitment, said: "It is clear from our survey findings that discrimination remains a significant issue in Irish workplaces. It's alarming to see how many people have either experienced or witnessed it firsthand, and that so many careers have been affected. Employers need to understand that they have a fundamental responsibility to address these kinds of issues in the workplace.

The fact that nearly all respondents (97%) say employers should actively provide support speaks volumes. It's time for workplaces to take real, decisive action to ensure equality and fairness for all staff."

Rise in Far-Right Sentiment at Work

Worryingly, one in four (25%) people surveyed say there has been a recent rise in far-right sentiment or behaviour in their workplace. When asked in what way this 'far right' sentiment manifested:

63% reported a marked increase in discriminatory remarks or jokes at work

Half responded that colleagues were minimising or dismissing verified facts related to discrimination of minority groups

One in two (48%) said that they noticed colleagues spreading misinformation, disinformation and/or conspiracy theories and

More than one third said that colleagues were openly opposing diversity and inclusion initiatives in the workplace

Greater Opportunities for Men?

Over a third of workers (37%) said they knew a colleague of the opposite sex and with the same role/responsibility who is being paid more than them. Of those, 41% were women (versus 18% of men).

When asked if they feel there is a 'glass ceiling' for women in the workplace in Ireland, ie. a barrier preventing women from advancing their career, almost three in four workers (72%) responded that there is. However, of those, more than a third (37%) say that things are improving slowly.

In relation to promotional opportunities, almost two-thirds of respondents (62%) agree that men have greater opportunities, while more than a third (35%) say that there are equal opportunities between the sexes.

Age Discrimination

When it came to age discrimination, the Matrix Workplace Equality Report highlighted the almost three in four (71%) respondents who say that Ireland has an issue with ageism in the workplace, down slightly on last year's results (78%, 2023). The same number (71%) say that people over 50 have fewer promotional opportunities compared to younger colleagues.

Despite this, the vast majority of people (96%) agree that workers aged over 50 have as much to contribute to the workplace as those under 40. Years of experience, mentorship, loyalty and reliability were all key attributes that those over 50 contribute to the workplace, according to respondents.

Of the minority who said that over 50s don't have as much to contribute to the workplace:

More than half (58%) responded that older people are not as up to speed with technology compared to younger workers, which is a year-on-year rise (43% in 2023 and 36% in 2022).

48% said that younger people have more energy to bring to a job

44% responded that older people are stuck in their ways and

Almost one in three (30%) said th...

In eight days time one of the biggest festivals is taking place in Ireland and around the world. Halloween also known as All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve, started off in Ireland centuries ago and was brought around the world by Irish Emigrants. Now a days you will find it celebrated all over the world, including Hollywood who has used it in numerous TV series and movies.

In Ireland it's still a big festival and every year thousands of Irish children head out to go trick or treating, but what else can they do? Well, Esri Ireland, the market leader in Geographic Information Systems (GIS), has created a digital map of over 200 frightfully fun festivals and events happening across the island of Ireland this Halloween.

Esri's ArcGIS digital mapping system was used to create an interactive map which features something for everyone this spooky season. The map details daytime and family-friendly events, as well as events for those who fancy more of a scare.

From creepy campfire tales in Belfast and after-dark jail tours in Cork, to a nightmare on Church Street in Mayo and a ghostly bus tour in Dublin, this map will help ghosts and ghouls of all ages and interests plan their celebrations for Halloween 2024.

See more stories here.

SpaceFest, run by Greywood Arts in partnership with the National Space Centre (NSC) and supported by Taighde Éireann - Research Ireland, celebrates Science Week by combining science and the arts to explore the cosmos. This year's festival offers a week-long programme for adults, teens, and families, running from Sunday, 10 November through Sunday, 17 November. Attendees can look forward to experiments, exhibitions, tours, classes, workshops, and more, all accessible at https://spacefest.ie.

Now in its fourth year, SpaceFest is expanding beyond its previous home base at the NSC. 2024 events will be held across Cork City at venues including Marina Market, UCC, Blackrock Castle Observatory, and Cork County Cricket Club. In East Cork, activities will take place at Greywood Arts (Killeagh) and the National Space Centre (Midleton).

Some of the dozen SpaceFest events around Cork City and County include:

Space Cocktails Speakeasy (€20): What does a nebula taste like in liquid form? What cocktail could we make with ingredients found on Mars? Dr Alfredo Carpineti, also known as the Astroholic, will lead an Astro-inspired mixology workshop with hands-on demonstrations. Ballymaloe-trained chef, and Food Truck alumni Niamh Hergarty will pair tastings inspired by the first fermentation on the ISS.

It's About Time: Distant Galaxies Poetry Workshop (Free): Participants will have the opportunity to tour UCC's historic 1880 Crawford Observatory in a private visit led by UCC Head of Astrophysics Dr Paul Callanan. A 90-minute workshop led by poet Kerri Sonnenberg will follow, pondering how images of distant galaxies from billions of years in the past, their light just now reaching us, causes us to reconsider what we think we know about time.

Stellar Perspectives at Solaris: (Free): An astrophotography exhibit featuring images of the heavens and night skies over Ireland. The nine photographers whose work is displayed represent members of photography, astrophotography and astronomy clubs from across the country as well as independent photographers.

The week culminates with Cosmic Debris (Free), an immersive multimedia exhibition that challenges the audience to rethink our place in the cosmos and the impact we leave behind. Held at the National Space Centre beneath the site's iconic 32-metre Big Dish, tickets include a tour of the facility, which only opens to the public for this annual event.

Greywood Artists-in-residence Nicholas Carn (UK), Kerry Guinan (IE) and artist/engineer Luisa Charles (UK) present collaboratively devised kinetic, levitating sculptures and moving images in response to the issue of space debris.

Selected from over 100 applicants, these three internationally exhibited artists engaged with both Blackrock Castle Observatory and UCC's Crawford Observatory during their residency at Greywood Arts in Killeagh in order to bring hard science into the creative interpretation on exhibit.

Big Listening and Radio Silence, featuring sound, sculptures and listening devices created by nearly 150 young participants from Greywood's space-themed STEAM programme, will also be on display for visitors to see and interact with.

As one of a number of accessibility initiatives rolled into the Festival, a special session for Deaf and Hard of Hearing visitors facilitated by ISL interpreter Keira O'Connell is available for booking online with the rest of the week-long programme at https://spacefest.ie.

More about Irish Tech News

Irish Tech News are Ireland's No. 1 Online Tech Publication and often Ireland's No.1 Tech Podcast too.

You can find hundreds of fantastic previous episodes and subscribe using whatever platform you like via our Anchor.fm page here: https://anchor.fm/irish-tech-news

If you'd like to be featured in an upcoming Podcast email us at [email protected] now to discuss.

Irish Tech News have a range of services available to help promote your business. Why not drop us a line at [email protected] now to find out more about how...

FraudSMART, the fraud awareness initiative led by Banking & Payments Federation Ireland (BPFI), is today warning the public of a new text message and phone scam in which victims are convinced their bank account has been hacked and persuaded to move their money to a so-called 'safe account' in order to protect it.

Consumers are being warned to be extra vigilant of unsolicited text messages and phone calls and to be aware that banks will never ask customers to transfer funds to keep their accounts safe.

Victims receive a text message impersonating their bank, alerting them to a 'new' direct debit

Outlining how the scam works and what consumers need to look out for, Niamh Davenport, Head of Financial Crime, BPFI, stated:

"This is a very recent scam detected by FraudSMART members and unfortunately, we are seeing cases begin to rise, with customers, on average, being conned out of between €6-€8k, so we are calling on the public to be on alert and know how to protect themselves. The scam is particularly deceptive and unfolds through a number of convincing text messages and phone calls.

Victims initially receive a text message impersonating their bank, falsely alerting them to a 'new' direct debit that has been set up on their bank account.

The text message advises that if they didn't set up this direct debit, they should call the phone number in the text message immediately. This mimics the style of legitimate messages we might expect from banks or service providers when changes are made to our accounts, making it seem more convincing. However, banks will never include phone numbers for customers to ring within a text message."

If the customer calls the number in the text message, they end up speaking directly to the fraudster

Ms Davenport continued: "If the victim calls the number in the text message, they are told that they are speaking to the bank's fraud department but are, in fact, speaking directly to the fraudster. They are advised that their account is at risk and, in order to protect their money, they have to transfer their funds and close their account.

They are asked to open their banking app or desktop account while on the call, set up a new payee or 'safe account' using an IBAN provided by the fraudster and transfer their money into this new account, which the fraudster in fact controls.

This is often followed by a text message 'confirming' that the new IBAN will be processed in 24 hours, along with details of the amount transferred and a fake 'lodgement reference', in order to further persuade the victim that it's legitimate and also delay detection."

Ms Davenport added: "These fraudsters can be very skilled at convincing people and gaining our trust, using a variety of psychological techniques known as 'social engineering', so it's possible for any of us to be caught out if we're not on alert. The most important thing to remember is to be very cautious of unexpected texts or phone calls, and if in any doubt, ignore the text message or hang up the call, and phone your bank immediately using the number on the back of your bank card."

How to protect yourself from phone and text scams:

1. Do not reply to unsolicited text messages or provide personal or financial information.

2. Do not use phone numbers provided within the text of a text message. Contact your bank using the number on the back of your debit/credit card.

3. Do not click on a link from unsolicited text messages - remember your bank will never send you a link in a text message.

4. If someone is pressuring you on the phone to take urgent action, hang up and call the number on the bank of your debit/credit card.

5. Never give away personal information, bank card payment details, bank account details or security details such as your PIN or online password to anyone.

Remember: Your bank will never ask you to transfer money from your account to a 'safe account' or any other kind of account. Contact your bank and the Gardaí immediately if you think you have respo...

Over 4,000 Irish students from 352 schools across the island of Ireland have showcased their innovation and ingenuity through the 2,069 project entries received for the BT Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE) 2025. Tackling a broad range of topics relating to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the 550 shortlisted projects will represent their schools and local communities at the BTYSTE in January 2025.

The upcoming BTYSTE, taking place at the RDS from 8th - 11th January 2025, received entries from schools in 31 counties.

Health has emerged as a key theme, accounting for over one-third (42%) of all project entries across a number of categories with topics covered ranging from the impact of vaping to mental health, to hospital queues. The second key theme (27%), environmental sustainability, included projects on pollution, waste management, renewable energy, biodiversity and conservation.

In addition to these familiar themes, there have been a number of other areas that have become popular in this year's entries for the first time, perhaps demonstrating the strong influence of Ireland's socioeconomic agenda and cultural and social dynamics on students. These include projects on the new deposit return scheme, electoral voting and inclusivity in education.

STEM-focused subjects relating to biology (9%) and technology (8%) also account for a large proportion of entries to the BTYSTE this year, delving into topics such as the ecology and plant-life of their local communities, the development of IT applications and devices, as well as neurodivergence, gender stereotypes and language studies. Other popular themes emerging in the areas of technology include artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Chemistry, physics and mathematics also featured heavily among entries.

This year the BTYSTE saw entries from almost half (49%) of all secondary schools in the Republic of Ireland. Schools that entered will be notified of the results of the shortlisted projects today, Monday October 21, 2024.

Speaking on the entries, Professor Pat Guiry, Chair of Young Scientist & Technology Exhibition Board and Exhibition judge said, "This year we were heartened by the exceptional quality of entries to the BTYSTE. In fact, every year we are amazed by the calibre of submissions being made right across the country. The shortlisting of 2,069 entries down to 550 qualified projects was a tough challenge again this year.

"The scientific rigour and depth of research evident in the entries demonstrates the talent and creativity of Irish students, and their commitment to finding solutions to some of the greatest challenges of their times and gaining a greater understanding of the world around them."

Shay Walsh, Managing Director of BT Ireland added: "This year's entries reflect the dedication and creativity of students in Ireland in addressing some of the world's greatest challenges today, and we see a shift towards more specific and detailed investigations within the project entries. There is also a noticeable increase in the application of AI and new technologies to address various challenges.

"In the 25 years that BT Ireland has been custodian, organiser, and sponsor of the prestigious YSTE, we have seen many previous entrants go on to make a big impact in the STEM sector and change the world for the better. I have no doubt based on this year's entries, that future alumni will continue on that same trajectory."

The 2025 BTYSTE will take place from January 08-11, 2025. There are over 200 prizes and a prize fund of well over €50,000 to be won. These prizes are awarded across all five categories and age groups, including the overall BT Young Scientist & Technologist(s) of the Year Award, worth €7,500, which will see the winners go on to represent Ireland at the prestigious European Union Contest for Young Scientists (EUCYS), which will take place in Latvia.

Ireland has a strong record of taking home the prize for first place...

One in four (25pc) Irish adults have less than €500 set aside for a rainy day, with almost half of these (9pc) reporting that they have no financial cushion at all.

Most people (65pc) have a financial cushion of less than €5,000, while more than half (53pc) have less than €3,000.

This is according to the findings of a new survey by Capital Credit Union of more than 3,700 adults, which also revealed that almost half (45pc) of Irish people are saving more regularly than they have in the past and that one in four (24pc) are saving less frequently.

Headline findings from the Capital Credit Union survey reveal that:

Two in ten (20pc) have an emergency fund of €10,000 or more.

More than three in ten people in their 30s have less than €500 of an emergency fund set aside.

More than one in ten people aged between 30 and 60 do not have any financial cushion at all. Those in their 70s are the least likely (5pc) to be in this position.

Men are more inclined than women to have a large financial cushion in the wings: one in ten (10pc) men have an emergency fund of more than €30,000 but just 6pc of women would have this amount set aside. Furthermore, men are almost twice as likely as women to have a financial cushion of €50,000 or more (5.25pc versus 2.9pc).

Table 1: How much money do you have set aside in case of a financial emergency

How much money do you have set aside in case of a financial emergency - i.e., emergency savings, excluding savings for home or retirement?

Nothing

9%

0 - €100

6%

€100 - €500

10%

€500 - €1000

11%

€1000 - €3000

17%

€3000 - €5000

11%

€5000 - €10000

15%

€10,000- €30000

13%

€30000 - €50000

3%

€50000+

4%

Figures are rounded off to the nearest zero

Commenting on the survey findings, Pat Byrne, Chief Executive Officer at Capital Credit Union said:

"It's always important to set aside some savings to tide you over at times of emergency, unforeseen problems - or when income is unexpectedly low. No matter how smooth life is or how financially comfortable you are, life is unpredictable, and things can take a turn for the worse when we least expect it. Having an emergency fund in the wings can be invaluable when the unexpected - such as the loss of a job, someone being unwell, or a car accident - happens.

It is a concern that our research shows that one in four Irish adults have less than €500 set aside for a rainy day. This would be unlikely to even last a week if a person lost their job.

The majority of Irish adults were found to have a financial cushion of €5,000 but even this might not be enough when a financial emergency hits, particularly if unable to work for a prolonged time - given the high bills which so many families have today.

Building up an emergency fund where possible is a core tenet of effective money management. Adequacy is key. Some financial advisers recommend building up a fund equivalent to about three months' of your salary; others advise setting aside a year's salary."

Other headline findings from the Capital Credit Union survey include:

Two-thirds (66pc) of those in their 20s are saving more regularly now than was the case in the past - making this age group the most likely one to be saving more. By comparison, less than half (46pc) of those aged 30, 40 and 50 say they are saving more regularly now.

Of those who have savings, almost three in four (74pc) are likely to be earning little or no interest on it as their money is kept in a readily accessible account.

More than half (56pc) of people keep their savings in a readily accessible account so that they can take money out whenever they need to while about one in five (18pc) say they keep all savings in a readily accessible account because they wouldn't know what else to do with the money.

Mr Byrne added:

"One in four Irish people are saving less regularly than they have in recent years. This tallies with a recent report from the CSO, which found that the amount saved by Irish households has fallen, with households saving about an eighth (12.7pc)...

The Finnish capital, Helsinki, was ranked number one in the latest Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index, which was published on 16 October 2024. The GDS Index measures the sustainability of travel destinations in four different categories using more than 70 indicators. The comparison includes more than a hundred cities throughout the world that have invested in sustainability. Helsinki has performed well in the GDS Index in the past: in 2023, ranking fourth.

"Being named the world's most sustainable travel destination is proof of the long-term work that has been done in Helsinki. We are developing and growing tourism sustainably together with tourism operators and local residents. The first place we have now achieved indicates that we are on the right path," said Juhana Vartiainen, Mayor of Helsinki.

Visitors appreciate sustainable destinations and services

The Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index evaluates sustainability across four key areas: Destination Management, Supplier Performance, Environmental Performance, and Social Performance. Helsinki has traditionally performed very well in the index, particularly in environmental performance at the city level.

This year, Helsinki ranked first in Destination Management, Supplier Performance, and Environmental Performance and second in Social Progress. The city invests in enhancing the social sustainability of tourism by supporting local businesses on their path to sustainability and increasing resources for the development of tourist destinations.

"International studies show that travellers are increasingly looking for more sustainable services and destinations. There will no doubt be increasing demand for the world's most sustainable tourist destination in the future," said Nina Vesterinen, Tourism Director at the City of Helsinki.

Work continues on sustainable and smart tourism

Helsinki's city strategy has set the goal of being the most sustainable and smartest tourist destination. Helsinki's Climate Action Plan for Tourism and Events also outlines Helsinki's goal of being at the top of the world in terms of sustainability, as verified by indexes and certifications. The goal has been to achieve the top spot in the Global Destination Sustainability (GDS) Index by 2025 at the latest.

In addition to tourism, Helsinki is committed to reducing emissions in all its activities. Their goal is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. Carbon neutrality targets will be achieved, especially by increasing the share of renewable energy in heat and electricity production, as well as energy efficiency measures in buildings.

The city has also invested in low-emission transport solutions: more than 30 per cent of the bus fleet in the Helsinki region has been electrified, and over 30 kilometres of new tramways will be introduced in Helsinki over the next decade.

The City of Helsinki has several sustainability-related projects and measures underway. In terms of tourism, the most important of these are the development of inclusive tourism and additional investments in the participation of local residents in the development of tourism. They measure the carbon footprint of tourism, promote Helsinki's Climate Action Plan for Tourism, and support tourism companies on the path of sustainable travelling.

The City of Helsinki is also interested in close collaboration with other tourist destinations on a national and international level.

Hometree, the fast-growing residential energy services company, has raised a £50 million mezzanine facility backed by CPPIB Credit Investments Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP Investments). The combined facility from the global institutional investor and a £250m senior asset-backed debt facility raised from Barclays will be used to finance up to 35,000 residential solar panel systems, batteries, and heat pumps across the UK over the next two years.

This is part of Hometree's ambition to decarbonise over one million homes by 2030 and its aim to build Europe's leading residential energy services business, combining hardware installation, financing, repairs, and ongoing maintenance in one platform.

Transforming the residential renewable energy rollout

Demand is rising for renewable energy systems to offset rising energy prices, exacerbated by Ofgem's confirmation in August that it would increase the energy price cap which will send average annual energy bills higher by £149 from October. Over 180,000 solar panel installations took place last year and the total number of applications to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (incentivising the move from gas to low-carbon forms of heating) more than doubled in July compared to the year before.

However, the high upfront costs of installing solar panels and heat pumps, which can range from £13,600 to £31,500, are unaffordable to most UK households, hindering the transition to net zero. Hometree wants to make renewable energy an affordable option for ordinary homeowners across the country by making low-cost long-term financing available and connecting households with the capital markets.

With capital now in place, Hometree is not just focusing on financing its own installations but is also working with companies across the energy supply chain to make it easier for homeowners to choose renewable energy options.

It is partnering with renewable installers, energy utilities, and hardware manufacturers, and has recently agreed terms with Project Solar, the UK's largest solar panel installer; So Energy, a large UK energy supplier; and myenergi, a supplier of smart home energy technology. All three partners will make Hometree financing available to their customers - significantly increasing Hometree's reach.

By creating a new securitisation-backed asset class for renewable energy, Hometree has been able to offer zero-deposit leases with low interest rates and longer terms for residential renewable energy technologies. In some cases, homeowners installing solar panels can even 'pay as they save', as their savings from using renewable energy exceed their payments.

Payment plans are available for up to 25 years for solar panels, batteries, and heat pumps, giving customers the option to spread the installation cost across the lifespan of the hardware.

Rory Duff, MD of Hometree Finance, said, "We're delighted that CPP Investments has joined us in our mission to help homeowners decarbonise their homes by installing solar panels and heat pumps. The energy transition will not happen without appropriate finance since very few people have the thousands of pounds needed for the upfront costs."

"CPP Investments understands the challenge that we are facing and how bridging the gap between the capital markets and the residential sector can accelerate the affordable decarbonisation of UK homes. They join us alongside other leading financial institutions including Barclays, Legal & General, and BlackRock, to support our fully integrated approach to installing, financing, repairing, and maintaining domestic renewable energy systems," he said.

Ben Mason, Managing Director, European Credit at CPP Investments said, "CPP Investments is an active participant in strategic financing transactions for innovative UK businesses in the energy transition sector. Our significant participation supports business expansion for Hometree while generating appropriate risk-adjusted returns for C...

Coimisiún na Meán has published the finalised Online Safety Code. The Code sets binding rules applying to video-sharing platforms who have their EU headquarters in Ireland. The general obligations contained in the Code will apply from next month and platforms will have an implementation period for certain detailed provisions, which require IT build, to come into compliance.

Coimisiún na Meán will take a supervisory approach to enforcing the Code, ensuring that platforms implement appropriate systems to comply with the provisions of the Code

The Code introduces obligations on video-sharing platforms to protect people, especially children, from harmful video and associated content, including:

Prohibiting the uploading or sharing of harmful content on their services including cyberbullying, promoting self-harm or suicide and promoting eating or feeding disorders as well as incitement to hatred or violence, terrorism, child sex abuse material, racism and xenophobia.

Using age assurance to prevent children from encountering pornography or gratuitous violence online and having age verification measures in place as appropriate.

Providing parental controls for content which may impair the physical, mental, or moral development of children under 16.

These platforms will also have to ensure that they have ways for people to report content that breaks the rules, and act on those reports in line with their Terms and Conditions.

The development of the Code was informed by an initial call for inputs in summer 2023, followed by a full public consultation from December 2023 to February 2024, which received nearly 1400 responses. Coimisiún na Meán's Youth Advisory Committee was also consulted on the development of the Code. The Code was then notified to the European Commission under the Technical Regulations Information System (TRIS) Directive process to ensure alignment with the EU Digital Services Act.

The Code is part of Coimisiún na Meán's overall Online Safety Framework. This Framework makes digital services accountable for how they protect users from harm online. The updated Code, combined with the other parts of the Online Safety Framework, will deliver on the objectives of the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act, leading to safer online experiences for people across Ireland.

The overall Online Safety Framework gives Coimisiún na Meán the tools to address the root causes of harm online, including the availability of illegal content, the harmful impacts of recommender systems, and inadequate protections for children on social media services.

The Online Safety Commissioner, Niamh Hodnett, said: "The adoption of the Online Safety Code brings an end to the era of social media self-regulation. The Code sets binding rules for video-sharing platforms to follow in order to reduce the harm they can cause to users. We will work to make sure that people know their rights when they go online and we will hold the platforms to account and take action when platforms don't live up to their obligations."

Executive Chairperson of Coimisiún na Meán, Jeremy Godfrey said: "With the adoption of the Online Safety Code, all the elements of our Online Safety Framework are now in place. Our focus now is on fully implementing the Framework and driving positive changes in peoples' lives online. Our message to people is clear: if you come across something you think is illegal or against a platform's own rules for what they allow, you should report it directly to the platform.

Our Contact Centre is available to provide advice and guidance to people if they need help."

Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, Catherine Martin TD commented: "I welcome Coimisiún na Meán's adoption of its first Online Safety Code. Building upon the foundation set out in the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022, this code is a major step forward in online safety.

It introduces real accountability for online video sharing platforms and requires them to...