Criminal framework

Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020, sections 2 and 3. The statute was enacted 2020. Section 2 (intent to cause harm): up to 7 years on indictment. Section 3 (without intent to harm): up to 12 months on summary conviction.

Civil and data protection framework

GDPR Article 17 (right to erasure) plus Data Protection Act 2018 provides the parallel civil route. Data Protection Commission (DPC) is the national supervisory authority and accepts complaints against any controller processing intimate imagery without lawful basis. The official site is https://www.dataprotection.ie.

Direct takedown authority

Coimisiún na Meán is the Online Safety Commissioner under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 with codes of practice covering intimate image abuse.

Official victim support

Hotline.ie is the recognised support service. Available at https://www.hotline.ie.

Five step removal process for Ireland victims

  1. 1

    Preserve evidence before any contact with the perpetrator

    Capture full page screenshots with URLs visible. Save the original files. Note timestamps. This evidence supports both the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 (Coco's Law) complaint and any GDPR Article 17 (right to erasure) plus Data Protection Act 2018 request.

  2. 2

    File a criminal complaint under Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 (Coco's Law)

    Report to local police or the national cybercrime unit. Hotline.ie can assist with the report.

  3. 3

    Submit an erasure request under GDPR Article 17 (right to erasure) plus Data Protection Act 2018

    Send a written request to each platform's designated data protection contact citing the legal basis. DPC can be petitioned if the platform fails to comply within 30 days.

  4. 4

    Send a US TAKE IT DOWN Act notice in parallel for covered platforms

    When the platform is subject to US jurisdiction, the 48 hour federal removal obligation applies in parallel with your domestic rights. ScanErase files these notices automatically.

  5. 5

    Track and escalate non compliant platforms

    Document every notice and every response. Use the regulator's takedown authority for non compliant platforms.

Frequently asked questions

What is the criminal NCII statute in Ireland?

Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020, sections 2 and 3. Enacted 2020. Section 2 (intent to cause harm): up to 7 years on indictment. Section 3 (without intent to harm): up to 12 months on summary conviction.

Who enforces data protection rights in Ireland?

Data Protection Commission (DPC) is the national authority. Official site: https://www.dataprotection.ie.

Is there an official victim support service in Ireland?

Yes. Hotline.ie provides direct help to victims. Site: https://www.hotline.ie.

Does any regulator in Ireland have direct takedown power?

Coimisiún na Meán is the Online Safety Commissioner under the Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 with codes of practice covering intimate image abuse.

Can a Ireland resident also use the US TAKE IT DOWN Act?

Yes when the hosting platform is subject to US jurisdiction. The TAKE IT DOWN Act applies to covered platforms regardless of where the victim resides. ScanErase's scan finds every US covered platform hosting your images, so you can file notices there in parallel with GDPR Article 17 (right to erasure) plus Data Protection Act 2018 requests.

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