The European Union is set to enforce strict new regulations for social media platforms, marking the end of what has been described as the “Wild West” of online self-regulation. Ireland’s Online Safety Commissioner, Niamh Hodnett, announced on Monday that binding rules, known as the Online Safety Code, will take effect next month, aiming to protect EU users from harmful video and associated content.
The new regulations apply to major video-sharing platforms headquartered in Ireland, including Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, and more. These platforms will be required to protect users—particularly children—from harmful content, such as child sexual abuse material, incitement to violence, and racism. The code also mandates measures to combat cyber-bullying and improve reporting mechanisms for users to flag inappropriate content.
A significant aspect of the new rules includes the requirement for platforms to introduce age verification systems, ensuring that children are not exposed to violent or pornographic material. Platforms that fail to comply with the regulations could face hefty fines—up to €20 million ($21.7 million) or 10% of their annual turnover, whichever is greater.
The Online Safety Code represents a critical shift from self-regulation to a statutory regime, giving regulators the power to hold companies accountable for harmful content on their platforms. While the code will be enforced starting next month, platforms will have a nine-month period to update their IT systems to comply fully.
“We will work to make sure that people know their rights when they go online and we will hold the platforms to account,” said Hodnett, emphasizing that the code will ensure stricter oversight and enforcement across the digital landscape.
The move follows Ireland’s designation of 10 platforms as video-sharing services earlier this year, including TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter). However, Reddit has been granted an appeal against its designation and is exempt from the new regulations for now.
TikTok expressed support for the code, with a spokesperson stating that the company welcomes its introduction. Ireland’s Digital Services Commissioner, John Evans, called the new rules a “significant milestone.”
Addressing the media in Dublin, Hodnett highlighted the need for a “step change” in how social media platforms operate, stressing the urgency of behavioral changes to ensure user safety.
“Today marks the end of the era of self-regulation. There is now an effective statutory regime in place, and we will hold platforms accountable if they don’t comply,” Hodnett added.
