Naughten warns Facebook of huge fines over content

Communications Minister Denis Naughten has warned Facebook chiefs they will be hit with multi-million euro fines if they continue to breach online safety rules.

Mr Naughten issued the threat in a high-level meeting with Facebook’s head of public policy in Ireland, Niamh Sweeney, and the social media company’s Dublin bosses in New York last night. This is despite the fact that this could cost Ireland hundreds of jobs with Facebook.

On Tuesday, a Channel Four investigation revealed that Facebook staff were allowing dangerous, illegal, and damaging videos and messages to remain on the site despite the fact they knew they were breaching online safety rules.