Launching on 8 September IDR’s scheme is available to users in Ireland and the EU and covers major platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. Complaints will be managed through Impress’ Dublin subsidiary, Impress Dispute Resolution Services, and the service is free to users, with costs borne by the platforms subject to complaints, for matters found in the user’s favour.

Formed out of Impress — the UK’s sole independent regulator of the press, recognised under Royal Charter — this new service empowers the public to act against illegal online content including deepfake images, electoral misinformation, hate speech, violence, and non-consensual behaviour.

The launch comes amid ongoing disquiet over the presence and proliferation of illegal content online. In August, Tánaiste Simon Harris accused social media companies of “platforming illegal activity”, while regulators in the UK and Ireland have probed several major online platforms over their response and management of illegal content.

While IDR’s decisions are non-binding, platforms are required under EU law to engage with ODS services like IDR in good faith. IDR will work closely with platforms to engender cooperation and amicable outcomes for all parties.

Additionally, aggregated data from every decision IDR makes will be used to support enforcement of the Digital Services Act by the European Commission. That means that every complaint will support systemic improvements to the online landscape for everyone.

The scheme is currently available to EU citizens, or those whose cases have a substantial link to the EU, and is established under Irish law.

IDR has been authorised by Coimisiún na Meán to assess complaints and has worked with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators to appoint a panel of expert lawyers in Ireland, who will sit independently of IDR to ensure claims are handled fairly.

 At present, there are no equivalent powers or individual redress available under the UK’s Online Safety Act, though similar provision has been made for alternative dispute resolution under Section 217 that can be activated at the discretion of the Secretary of State.

Impress Dispute Resolutions co-founder Gia Thom said: ““Over the past decade, we’ve supported thousands of people harmed in the media – and demand has never been higher.

“When your identity is deepfaked or your account is wrongly banned, it’s not just frustrating — it can be devastating. For the first time, individual people can challenge illegal content decisions without cost, complexity, or fear. ODS is a world first and the missing piece of online safety - real redress for real people.”