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The Irish Government is cracking down on hate speech and harmful content online under its Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Crimes) Bill, which aims to update the Incitement to Hatred Act 1989.

The bill would hold social media executives personally accountable for delays in removing hateful and hostile content from their digital platforms.

The code is expected to come into force in the coming months and could potentially result in millions of euros in fines for companies found to be violating it.

“Social media companies must take responsibility and be accountable for what happens on their platforms,” says James Lawless, Irish Minister of State for Climate and Communications.

“Ultimately, they are the host and they make a profit by publishing this content online, so they have to have some obligation to pay attention, monitor and manage what is hosted,” he added.

Irish ministers threatened

The crackdown was accelerated as Irish ministers faced increasing online threats.

Ireland’s Prime Minister Simon Harris is said to have created a sense of urgency to take tougher measures against social media companies.

“We cannot tolerate social media being seen as some kind of Wild West, not being subject to the same laws and regulations as a newspaper – it is a form of media,” said Taoiseach Simon Harris.

Technology experts believe that imposing heavy fines on social media companies is likely to produce positive results in the coming years.

“Most technology companies are likely to comply with this new Coimisiúin na Mean code of conduct because they are required to do so and it is backed by the Digital Services Act, an EU-wide law with very high fines,” said Adrian Weckler, technology correspondent at the Irish Independent.

“There are a few outliers who have been targeted by local politicians here in Ireland and across Europe, right up to EU Commissioners. The most notable of these is X,” he added.

Some of the world’s top 10 social media companies have major offices in Dublin, including Meta, X and TikTok.

Ireland’s hate speech bill drew sharp criticism from X owner Elon Musk, who said he would challenge the law if it passed.

Musk has also proposed funding the legal defense of all Irish citizens who would be affected by the new legislation.

In response, Harris said: “My concern is not for Elon Musk or (Facebook and Meta founder) Mark Zuckerberg or whatever their names are. My concern is for the safety, security and well-being of the people of this country.”