Liam Herrick

The new unit, called Enforce, will respond to the “tech threat to democracy and human rights” by investigating technology and tech industry practices, sharing technical expertise with legislators and taking strategic litigation in “key jurisdictions” where necessary.

Enforce is already litigating in Ireland, Germany, Belgium and Luxembourg, and at the Court of Justice of the European Union.

ICCL says the aim of Enforce is to “push technology back towards democratic value by 2030”.

Liam Herrick, executive director of ICCL, said: “The launch of Enforce today is a major step for ICCL. Digital is becoming a vital frontier for human rights.

“We have spent several years building up expertise and relationships in this area, and Ireland’s unique position in the international digital realm means we’re uniquely positioned to undertake this work.”