Ireland: Online Safety (Recommender Algorithms) Bill 2026 was introduced to the lower house of the Irish parliament

On 22 January 2026, the Online Safety (Recommender Algorithms) Bill 2026 (Bill No. 7 of 2026) including recommender algorithm regulation was introduced to the lower house of Parliament. The Bill seeks to amend the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 to restrict the use of recommender systems by video-sharing platform services operating in Ireland. The Bill would prohibit video-sharing platform services from deploying recommender systems where the service provider is aware that the recipient has not reached the age of 18, or where the age of the recipient is unknown. The Bill would also prohibit the use of recommender systems based on profiling or on special categories of personal data under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) for users over 18, unless the user has actively selected such a system, has been provided with clear and intelligible information on its main parameters, and has access to a functionality allowing modification of that system at any time. The Bill would further direct the Minister for Arts, Media, Communications, Culture and Sport to instruct Coimisiún na Meán to amend the Online Safety Code accordingly. The Bill would enter into force within 90 days of promulgation by the President.