Dublin: To protect consumers from harmful content on various video-sharing platforms in Europe, Ireland has published binding laws that guarantee companies are held accountable and end self-regulation.

Ireland’s online safety commissioner Niamh Hodnett said the online safety code will come into force next month, ending the era of social media self-regulation.

The final implementation will be formally adopted after consultation with the European Commission and will apply to platforms’ EU headquarters in Ireland.

The rules will require platforms to protect people, especially children, from harmful videos and related content. It will ban the uploading or sharing of content that incites child sexual exploitation, violence and racism.

Platforms will have a responsibility to eradicate cybercrime and ensure that content that breaks the rules is reported.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has vowed to provide international quality facilities to the youth in the field of information technology and said that the application of technology will bring innovation in every sector of the economy.

According to the announcement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on the measures regarding development and digitization in the field of information technology.

The statement said that the meeting was attended by internationally renowned experts serving in the IT sector and gave suggestions.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that information technology has a key role in the country’s development, the vast potential of the country’s economy will be utilized in the field of information technology.

He said that the application of technology will bring innovation in every sector of the economy and the youth will be provided international quality facilities of knowledge and skills in the field of information technology.

The Prime Minister directed that the support of international experts should be obtained for the promotion of IT, in addition to this, he also directed to prepare and present a comprehensive action plan to increase the country’s IT exports on a priority basis.

The meeting was informed that an action plan is being prepared for reforms and digitization in the information technology sector, including increasing internet access for the common man, improving digital infrastructure, e-governance, imparting digital skills to the youth. The focus is on vocational training, innovation and business development in the sector.

Federal Ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Muhammad Aurangzeb, Ahad Khan Cheema, Attaullah Tarar, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Rana Mashhood Khan, Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan and other relevant senior officials participated in the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.