Ireland's government is preparing to require citizens to use a state-controlled digital wallet app to access social media platforms and adult websites, even as its own departments continue to suffer repeated data breaches. The app, being developed by
the governments chief information officer, will hold key personal identifiers such as a persons Public Services Card and drivers license, and could later include other credentials like a TV license. Under the proposal, social media companies will
be required to use this government system to verify the age of users before granting access to their platforms. Surveillance Minister Patrick ODonovan described the plan as a necessary step to address what he called the severe public health issue of
children viewing inappropriate material online. He said that hose who refuse to use the app would lose access to their social media accounts and to websites listed on a government age-restricted schedule. However the Irish government's own of
protecting personal information remains poor. Figures released by the Department of Defence show that 31 data breaches occurred in 2025, though only two were serious enough to be reported to the Data Protection Commission (DPC). |
