The media regulator has launched an investigation into TikTok and LinkedIn.
It's looking into the social media companies' illegal content reporting mechanisms.
Last year, An Coimisiún na Meán opened a review into a number of websites, requesting information from several of those based here, to ensure people have a right to report content they suspect to be illegal, in an accessible and user-friendly way.
Following this, the regulator has today announced formal investigations into TikTok and LinkedIn.
It suspects the sites' reporting systems aren't easy to access or user-friendly, don't allow people to report child sexual abuse material anonymously, and the design of their interfaces may deter people from reporting content as illegal.
If either site is found to break the rules, it could result in a fine of up to 6 per cent of turnover.
An Coimisiún na Meán has requested further information from several other providers and says it's not ruling out further regulatory action.
John Evans, Digital Services Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán says: “The Digital Services Act has marked a step change for online safety in Ireland, and across the EU, providing people who use online providers with greater rights, and placing new obligations on providers to keep people safe online.
"At the core of the DSA is the right of people to report content that they suspect to be illegal, and the requirement on providers to have reporting mechanisms, that are easy to access and user-friendly, to report content considered to be illegal.
"Providers are also obliged to not design, organise or operate their interfaces in a way which could deceive or manipulate people, or which materially distorts or impairs the ability of people to make informed decisions.
"Following the opening of a review last year into the compliance of a number of online providers with Article 16 of the DSA, Coimisiún na Meán has requested information from several of those based in Ireland to ensure that people have a right to report content that they suspect to be illegal, through an accessible and user-friendly reporting mechanism."
"This review has resulted in several actions which we can announce today, including the opening of an investigation into two online platforms – TikTok and LinkedIn.
"In the case of these platforms, there is reason to suspect that their illegal content reporting mechanisms are not easy to access or user-friendly, do not allow people to report child sexual abuse material anonymously, as required by the DSA, and that the design of their interfaces may deter people from reporting content as illegal."
