The head of Ireland's internet watchdog has said he is not overwhelmed by the "quality" of the plans that are being put in place by online platforms to counter disinformation ahead of the local and European elections in June.
Digital Services Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán John Evans said that Ireland needs to be extremely vigilant around the issue of electoral integrity.
"We're talking to the Electoral Commission, we also issued a request for some information to the platforms about their readiness and how they're operationalising what is in the guidance produced by the European Commission," Mr Evans said.
"I wasn't overwhelmed by the quality of the responses I got back, to be honest, so we'll need to go back and do that again and get good answers," he added.
Mr Evans was speaking at the Digital Ireland Conference which is taking place today in Dublin Castle.
He said that his office is also focussed on the safer participation of politicians, particularly with regards to women in politics, and that they are planning to prepare information packs for people who are putting themselves forward for election.
"It will give information at their fingertips of what they can do if they encounter a 'deepfake' of themselves online or something like that," Mr Evans said.
"The platforms have priority channels available for public representatives so it's a question of drawing people's attention to them and making use of those channels," he added.
Tech leaders, regulators and policymakers have gathered for the Digital Ireland Conference.
Panel discussions are focussing on digital regulation and artificial intelligence (AI).
Ukrainian deputy digital minister Georgii Dubynskyi will take part in a virtual discussion on Ukraine's cybersecurity journey.
Other speakers include executives from companies such as Microsoft, Google, Amazon and OpenAI, the firm behind ChatGPT.
The Digital Ireland Conference is hosted by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
"As a small, open economy, Ireland has been hugely successful in attracting eight of the global top ten information technology companies to establish a significant presence here," said Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke.
"We are the second largest exporter of computer and IT services in the world. We also have a dynamic domestic innovation ecosystem, with the third highest number of 'unicorns’ per capita in the EU."
"Ireland is at the heart of the digital transformation, both as a home to a vibrant digital economy, and through our key role in the EU, in particular in the digital regulatory space," Mr Burke said.
Tomorrow, Ireland will host a meeting of the D9+ group, an informal alliance of digital ministers from the digital frontrunner EU member states.
