Facebook defensive as TDs don’t like its policies

Facebook has revealed that in one case it notified gardai when a child signalled online that they might self-harm —and defended its policies regarding public figures amid criticism from TDs and senators.

Representatives from Facebook were addressing cyber security for children and young adults before the joint committee on children and youth affairs and faced sustained questioning over its p[olicies, and particularly over whether or not they were robust enough when dealing with issues such as violence and bullying.

However, TDs and senators told the Facebook representatives they did not believe they, as public representatives, were afforded the same protections as private individuals, citing repeated online abuse. Julie de Bailliencourt, Facebook head of safety policy for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, said the company was looking into the issue, particularly the abuse suffered by women in politics and public life.