Cabinet backs legislative changes on online communications

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has secured Cabinet backing for legislative proposals dealing with online communications and digital safety, the Irish Independent reports.

The proposals are based on recommendations by the Law Reform Commission in its Report on Harmful Communications and Digital Safety.

They include expanding the definition of harassment to include online or digital means of communication, creating new offences around one-off harmful communications, and criminalising revenge porn.

Ms Fitzgerald reportedly succeeded in seeking Cabinet approval for the Non-Fatal Offences (Amendment) Bill, which will implement the proposals, shortly before Christmas.

She said: “The work of the Law Reform Commission has been very useful and Government will now legislate to strike the correct balance between the right to freedom of expression and the right to privacy.”