Safer Internet Day and data profiling
Senator Higgins asked when the child-profiling ban in the Data Protection Act would be commenced and raised concerns about data leaks in hospitals. She also commended nurses for patient safety work.
I will follow up on some of the comments made by my colleague, Senator Ruane. This is Safer Internet Day, among many other days. Almost one year ago, Senator Ruane and I successfully introduced an amendment to the Data Protection Bill, now the Data Protection Act, to prohibit the profiling of children under the age of 18 years and the use of such profiles for commercial purposes. I ask the Leader for an update on when the Minister plans to commence that aspect of the legislation. It is no longer a proposed amendment. I understand Deputy O’Callaghan put forward a variation of the proposal in the Dáil. Will the Minister commence that aspect of the legislation which protects children under the age of 18 years from commercial targeting, fast-track the alternative version put forward by Deputy O’Callaghan or take action of his own volition? It is not satisfactory that almost a year after the legislation was passed, we have not taken steps to protect younger people, which is vital, and ensure they are not targeted in a shocking way based on their vulnerabilities or insecurities. We hear much rhetoric about that-----
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There is loads of it here.
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-----but this concrete legislation is on the Statute Book. Let us make it happen.
I note that Internet safety is not simply about children. There is more to be done in terms of online regulation in that regard, including the safety of those who engage with public services. We achieved a fine with respect to public services. I am concerned by what appear to be data leaks about persons accessing services in hospitals. In that regard, I commend nurses for their work on patient safety.