Gardaí issued first removal order under EU terrorist content regulation

The media regulator Coimisiún na Meán also said recently that it made four findings in 2024 and 2025 against social media platforms that were “exposed” to terrorist content. File picture

Gardaí issued a removal order last year directing a social media giant to take down terrorist content on its platform.

It is the first removal order under the EU terrorist content online regulation, which came into effect in Ireland in 2024.

The media regulator Coimisiún na Meán also said recently that it made four findings in 2024 and 2025 against social media platforms that were “exposed” to terrorist content.

Now An Garda Síochána has published a report confirming it issued a removal order against a platform for hosting terrorist content.

The regulation requires hosting service providers (HSPs) to address the misuse of their platform to spread terrorist content, such as:

• Material shared online that, directly or indirectly — such as by the glorification of terrorist acts — advocates the commission of terrorist offences, causing a danger that one or more such offences may be committed;
• Solicits a person or a group of persons to commit or contribute to the commission of a terrorist offence or to participate in the activities of a terrorist group;
• Provides instruction on the making or use of explosives, firearms, or other weapons or noxious or hazardous substances, or other specific methods or techniques for the purpose of committing or contributing to the commission of a terrorist offences, or threatens to commit a terrorist offence.

The Garda terrorist content online regulation transparency report 2025 states: “An Garda Síochána issued one removal order in 2025. Following the issuing of the removal order, the content was taken down.” 

The report said they were the competent authority for terrorist content removal orders and that Coimisiún na Meán is the relevant body for regulation.

In its transparency report the media regulator said it decided whether hosting service providers were “exposed” to terrorist content under the regulation and had the authority to impose penalties for not complying with the regulation.

The report said that on November 13, 2024, it took a decision that the three providers — TikTok, Twitter (now X) and Meta (Instagram) were exposed to terrorist content. 

On December 16, 2024, it decided Meta (Facebook) was exposed to terrorist content. On September 11, 2025, it took a decision that Pinterest was exposed to terrorist content. Then, on October 16, 2025, it decided that WhatsApp was exposed to terrorist content.

Last week Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said the force had taken action to “interrupt” young people who have been radicalised online by domestic terror groups.

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• Cormac O'Keefe is Security Correspondent.