Ireland: Take action to stop Big Tech from harming LGBT+ peo
Campaign content
As LGBT+ people, organisations and allies across the world, we know the vital importance of social media for forging connection and finding community.
But we also see first hand the damage inflicted by the business model of Big Tech companies – whose algorithms are primed to amplify the worst of humanity and cause deep harm to marginalised groups: LGBT+ people are routinely viciously trolled, gay teens targeted with conversion therapy ads, and harassment of Pride participants live-streamed.
Over the last few decades, some of the biggest tech platforms have set up camp in Ireland. That's why the Irish government has a vital opportunity to rein in Big Tech's business model and prevent the harms it is causing to LGBT+ people globally.
Too little has been done so far. The Irish Data Protection Commission (DPC) is the lead data protection regulator but it seems like they rather protect Silicon Valley profits than fundamental human rights. That's why we're calling to reform the DPC so it finally does its job.
In the coming months, the Irish government has a unique opportunity to change course when it appoints two new Commissioners to the DPC. It must ensure that only candidates with the expertise and integrity to hold Big Tech to account are considered for the job, and that those appointed are given a clear mandate for reform.
For LGBT+ people across the world, social media is a vital space for expression, community and connection with the capability to transform - even save - lives. But its positive role is being significantly undermined by a surveillance-based business model fine-tuned for spreading hate, and the failure of regulators to bring it into line.
Ireland has a powerful opportunity to change that by reforming the DPC. Sign this petition and urge the Irish government to seize it.
First Signers:
All Out
Alliance4Europe
AI Forensics
Amnesty International
Centre for Peace Studies, Croatia
Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ)
Defend Democracy
Digital Action
Ekō
Fair Vote UK
Far Right Observatory Ireland
Global Witness
ILGA-Europe
Irish Network Against Racism (INAR)
Irish Council for Civil Liberties
Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD)
LGBT Ireland
'NEVER AGAIN' Association
Outhouse LGBTQ+ Centre - Ireland
Transgender Europe (TGEU)
Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI)
Transvanilla Transgender Association - Hungary
Panoptykon Foundation
Peter Tatchell Foundation
Rouge Direct
STOP homophobie (stophomophobie.org)
Uplift Ireland
Zagreb Pride
#jesuislà
Dear Taoiseach,
LGBT+ people, organisations and allies across the world, are calling on you to ensure big tech platforms respect and protect our rights:
● Reform the Irish Data Protection Commission’s (DPC) so it does its job of holding the world's biggest – Dublin-based – tech platforms to account and stops them from trampling on people’s rights.
● Ensure that only candidates with the expertise and integrity to hold Big Tech to account are considered when your government appoints two new Commissioners to the DPC in the coming months.
● Commission an entirely independent review of how to strengthen and reform the DPC, to make it fit for purpose, and that the new commissioners appointed are given a mandate to implement these changes.
Ireland has a powerful opportunity to rein in Big Tech's business model and prevent the harms it is causing to LGBT+ people globally by reforming the DPC. We urge you to seize it.
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