Irish Parliament Speaker Murphy urges action on rising fake social media profiles

Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy has highlighted a significant rise in threats against elected representatives, exacerbated by the proliferation of fake social media profiles spreading false narratives. She emphasized the broader societal impact, noting severe online bullying affecting children to the point of suicidal ideation, and called for urgent legislative action to address these issues. Murphy proposed bringing party leaders together to depoliticize the matter and work collectively on solutions, framing her role as a "shop steward" for members of the Dáil who face these threats daily. She stressed that tackling fake profiles is not a free speech issue but a necessary step to uphold individuals' constitutional rights to reputation and safety. The Tánaiste, Simon Harris, has also publicly condemned violent threats against his family, underscoring the severity of the problem. Overall, Murphy advocates for new laws to identify and counteract unverified accounts to protect both public figures and the wider community from online abuse.