Illi'll Irdl I-.-: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Our reference 01 [2018/36 \Ol February 2018 Mr. Ken Foxe Re: Freedom of Information Act 2014 FOI Ref. Number Decision date As per this letter Statement of Request Copies of all records held or generated in Minister Daly's of?ce relating to his proposal to link public service cards andlor other of?cial forms of identi?cation with social media accounts. This request to cover the period 1 September 2017 to the current date. [would prefer to receive this information electronically, ideally in its original electronic format. Coordinator Mr. Derek McCormack Pariiamentary Affairs Division Tel (01) 635 4587 Dear Mr. Foxe, I refer to the above request which you have made under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 for records held by this Department. Scope of the Request Your request as described is non-personal and seeks access to particular records as set out above. This Department has for some time advised that the text of requests (including the name of the requestor) will be placed on a F01 disclosure log that will be made available on the Department?s web site. This disclosure log policy does not apply to requests for personal information. Searches for records relevant to your request were conducted in Minister Daly?s Private Of?ce. Eight records relevant to your request were identi?ed. Decision My decision is to part release the records relevant to your request. There are some minor redactions relating to personal information that are exempt under section 37. Cuirfear friilte roimh i nGaeilge An Roinn Slainte/Department of Heatth Teach Haicin Baiie Aiha Cliath, 002 vweo Hawkins House Dublin, VWQO {01) 635 4000 Face/Fax {01) 635 4001 R-phosl/Email Enfo@health.gov.ie Suiomh Gr?as?in/Web Paip?ar on Recycled Paper 3 71-0) Subject to the provisions of this section, a head shall refuse to grant an F01 request i? in the opinion of the head, access to the record concerned would involve the disclosure of personal information including personal information relating to a deceased individual). Where redactions are made under section 37 I consider that an individual?s right to privacy outweighs any public interest argument in releasing that information. Fees As the time spent on search and retrieval on this request was less than ?ve hours no fee will be charged. Right of Review . The Act requires that you be advised of your Rights of Review, and I would refer you to the enclosed information sheet. Yours sincerely ?erek ormack Parliamentary Affairs Division FOI.2018.36 Doc Date Pages From To Description Decision 1 20.12.17 2 Minister Daly Niarnh Sweeney Protection of childrenand vulnerable persons online Release 2 20.12.17 1 Minister Daly Deirdre Clune MEP Copy of letter to Minister Doherty Release 3 20.12.17 2 Minister Daly Minister Doherty Protection of children and vulnerable persons online Release 4 14.12.17 2 Minister Daly Commissioner Gabriel Protection of children and vulnerable persons online Release 5 21.12.17 2 Minister Daly Mark Zukerberg Protection of children and vulnerable persons online Release 6 8.1.18 3 Niarnh Sweeney Minister Daly Mail re Meeting Part Release 37 Personal Information 7 16.1.18 2 Niamh Sweeney Minister Daly Mail re Meeting Part Release 37 Personal Information 8 23.1.18 3 Minister Daly Rob Leslie Sedicii Innovations Protection of children and vulnerable persons online Part Release 37 Personal Information - An lecithin Slam; or: Herrera .x _t 20 December 2017 Niamh Sweeney, Head of Public Policy, Facebook 4 Grand Canal Square Dublin 2 Re: Protection of children and vulnerable persons onuiine. Dear Ms. Sweeney, trust this note finds you well. am writing to you to demonstrate my concerns as both a public representative and a parent with regard to the protection of children and vulnerable persons online. There is a growing epidemic of young unauthoriSed person?s registering on social media platforms and also the registration of fake accounts. i feel this situation is a crisis point and has been allowed to develop as ?the norm? while doing untold damage to a generation of children across the globe at the same time. it is my considered opinion that Governments around the world must do more to protect our children from the dark side of the internet and indeed many of our vulnerable aduits too. With this in mind, i wanted to approach you and your organisation with somewhat of a solution in mind. Should a Governmental Department take a proactive approach to protecting those most vulnerable online by creating another identification Number for citizens that they could use online, would organisations such as yourselves enforce this measure. If an ?online verification code?, DVD, was created by a Department that couid become part of the registration process i believe the department can play a role verifying accounts without compromising any private details of individuals. The would allow a crosscheck to be performed to confirm that the person is of the required age to own the particuiar social media account and that your name matches that of your application. tail-r:- i An Reina Statute/Department or Heaith Teach Heroin Baiie Ciiaih. DUQ VVti'l-il) Hawkins House Dublin. D02 VWQO r?onft?ei [on 635 2.1003 Face/Fax {01} 8354001 R-phost/Emeii inio@heai1h.gov.ie Suiomh Gr?as?in/Web i'mpmi. Fiery-2W: iE-r.? 3 .. .. r? ?mm {r Ah] til?t gallant-lite OF HEALTH ?53. in years to come we will all look back at this situation and ask ourselves why did chance-to do something but we did nothing. I would really appreciate your interest and support in assisting the Government in developing i look forward to your reply and also want to take this opportunity to wish you a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Sincerely, "aw Jim Daiy TD. Minister for Mental Health and Older People . . . - raj-7:1 nan-IL; aim Reina Stainte/?erartmeot of i-ieeith Teaoh Haioin Bailo Atria Ciiaih. ?102 VWEED i-anltins House Dublin, D02 Faerie! {on 635 4000 Facsr?Fax [91) 6535 4001 R-ohosthmaii . Suicml?t Gr?as?inlWeb unravelieoithauntie . . . .. . - 1. . . [en @Jlemrrte if DEPARTMENT or: Hewitt-i 20 December 2017 Deirdre Clune, MEP 74 South Mall Co Cork Re: Protection of children and vulnerable persons onuline. Dear Deirdre. I trust this short note finds you well. Please find enclosed the letter I have written to Minister Doherty with a copy of same sent to An Taoiseach'and Minister Zappone. You will also find enclosed a letter I recently wrote to the EU Commissioner Mariya Gabriel, also for your information. would very much so like to discuss this very important issue with you sometime in the New Year. May take this opportunity to wish you and your family a merry Christmas and a peaceful New Year. i Sincerely, We. *i/iim Daly TD. .Ministerfor Mental Health and Older People An Roinn Sieiinte/Bepartrnent 0? Heath. Teach i-inictn Eiaife Alina Cliatii. i302 Hawkins House. Dr:bi1n,- D02 eon/Te! i0li 635 400i) Face/Fa): $11635 4001 R-phosthmaii irn'ouf?healil'lgowe Greasainlt?ieo - .. . fig-f- r" n. '55 1:25" TH $.91 or: i-?iEALiid Jilin Retain gimme 20 December 2017 Regina Doherty T.D., Minister for Social Protection Department of Social Protection Government Office Store Street Co Dublin cc: An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar; Minister Katherine Zappone Re: Protection of chiidren and vuinerable persons onwiine. Dear Minister, refer to the above and the growing epidemic of young unauthorised person?s registering on social media platforms and aiso the registration of fake accounts. i feel this situation is at a crisis point and has been allowed to develop as ?the norm? while doing untold damage to a generation of children across the globe at the same time. it is my considered opinion that Governments around the world must do more to protect our children from the dark side of the internet and indeed many of our vulnerable adults too. With this in mind I have written to European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel as i feel a European approach will have a stronger voice to communicate with the large - multinationals who own the various social media companies, see copy enclosed I wanted to outline to you how I see a role for the Department of Social Protection in this regard. As part of the registration process for a social media platform i believe measures must be put in place to verify age and identity of the persons registering. While there are many and varied forms of state available in various jurisdictions i feel the DSP are best placed to validate persons credentials as they hold details of all persons, pretty much from birth to death. I feel the DSP can play a role with verifying accounts without compromising any private details of individuals, for example I can confirm my children are of an age to you, but I don?t have to give you their date of birth. i-lnwizins House Dublin, Fort. {an 635 seen F??s 25,3233): {Oil 835 4001 5' I'i'tin'ut'a Ian Reina at Health Teach Heroin Bails Athn Clialit, Wit-?92} it?phosthmai! info'fmncathrwie . E?iuiomh Gr?as?in/U?Iieis i'a'hri'uir .i Reina alanine {tests or: F. How i see this working is for state departments of social protection all over Europe to create a new criterion of detail for all persons. For discussion purposes I am naming this field an ?On-line Verification Code? O.V.C. When a person goes to register for Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat etc. you will be asked to enter your O.V.C. A crosscheck will be performed and the application process will be able to confirm that you are the required age to own the particular social media account and that your name matches that of your application. reiterate again there is no-proposal here to furnish social media companies with confidential details but rather it puts an onus on the companies to confirm that applicant?s details are true and correct. It is a basic fundamental that we should all know who we are communicating with and we must now recognise that social media is an extraordinary powerful presence in our society which is responsible for much good, but it is also responsible for too much negative developments in society which are having devastating consequences for individuals and families around the globe. lreland and Europe can be a leader in making efforts to address this gaping hole of irresponsible governance around the world. We will all look back at this situation in years to come and ask ourselves why did chance to do something but we did nothing. I would really appreciate your interest and support in developing some measure to safeguard the future of our tildren on line. I look forward to your reply. May i take this opportunity to wish you and your family a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Sincerely, 41m dim Daly TD. Minister for Mental Health and Older People ?leit'; 5 An Roinn of Health. Teach I'Iaicfn Bails Alba Ciiath, WNQO Hawkins House Dublin. eaanei ton 535 400:) FacsiFai'. {01) 635 4001 Reheat/Email inioi?ihealtngovie . Suiomh Greasain/Web - . . . mr i. an Reins biotinte 3' or sewn?i 14 December 2017 EU Commissioner, Mariya Gabriel, European Commission DG Internal Market, industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs Communication, Access to Documents and Document Management Unit A1 BREY 07/045 8 - 1049 Brussels (Belgium) Dear Commissioner, I am writing to you to highlight the growing serious issue of internet safety for children that is now a world?wide issue which requires political leadership to improve the situation. As we now know, internet safety is getting more and more difficult to manage and it is of paramount importance that the European Union makes efforts to regulate or legislate to address this issue. i wish to make particular reference to the setting up of fake social media profiles on platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram etc. and also to allowing minors to Open accounts on social media platforms without age verification. As you will be acutely aware this is an ongoing concern worldwide andi would like to see the EU Commission taking strong action. These fake online accounts present a danger to all European Citizens as they are used to exploit those most vulnerable in our society. Children who use these platforms cannot escape the dark side of the world wide web as they continue to ping even as they try to sleep at night, there is no escaping the online bully. The obvious answer is of course children should not be on these platforms, but they are, because we allow them to be. I urge you Commissioner to consider a new policy that will require multinationals such as Facebook to introduce new and stronger methods of authenticating accounts created on their platforms. At present, a name, date of birth and email address is all that is requiredto set up an online profile. The ease of access to setting up such profiles is extremely worrying and more needs to be done in order to ensure that accounts that are created are 'done so by real people and are the required age to open such an account. One such method I would encourage would be the introduction of a cross check with a social security number as per the irish public service card which would confirm a person?s date of birth, or passport number in order to create an account. This would not limit to people creating multiple profiles, rather it would cleariy create'a link betweenall online accounts that person may have. retini?: . an Reine Statute/Efepartment of riser-tit Teach Haicin Baits Ail-ta Ciliath. ?102 Hawkins House Duljiin, [302 \r'tfv'QO F?m'hi?ai S35 4000 F3 535 4001 Gr?asa?in/Web 7g; .. J. [an liteinn Stainite DEPARTMENT OF in order to establish such an initiative i believe a strong stance needs to be taken at European level. it is imperative that an initiative such as outlined in the above begins at European level as individual countries like lreland do not have the leverage over the large multi?national corporations to force change. I do not want to restrict EU citizens access to the internet but rather place more emphasis on multinational corporations to take more responsibility in being proactive with offering a secure service and to safe guard our children. As representatives it is our duty to protect the most vulnerable in our society but also it is our duty to provide legislation that will in the future protect those we represent. i will endeavour to champion the causes of internet safety in Ireland but as you will agree, is a European wide issue that believe can be easily improved with new legislation. At a recent Oireachtas committee meeting attended in relation to this matter the irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children stated-online safety. was ?the single greatest threat to children in our time? I agree with them. we need to act now. i look tonrvard to your reply, Sincerely, ,f/au ?J?iin Daly TD. Minister for Mental Health and Older People Eiliti ?3 an R?cinn Stainte/?epartment of Teach Haicin Bails Inna Clialh. oog Hawkins House Dublin. D02 Font-Wei [01) I335 4000 Facerax 635 $001 R-phost/Emai! intor?ihealth.govie . E?aufomit Gr?as?in??ieb .-- - .I -. . 'i . Hill-Jill: rm, . titre Reine naeaarivrarn or: He.r..r..?ri?r 21 December 2017 Mark Zuckerberg Hacker Way Menlo Park CA 94025 United States of America Re: Protection at children and vulnerable persons onuline. Dear Mr. Zuo'kerberg, i trust this note finds you well. I arn writing to you to demonstrate my concerns as both a public representative and a parent with regard to the protection of children accounts. i feel this situation is a crisis point and has been allowed to develop as "the norm? while doing untold damage to a generation of children across the globe at the same to protect our children from the dark side of the internet and indeed many of our vulnerable adults too. protecting those most vulnerable online by creating another identification Number for citizens that they could use online, would organisations such as yourselves enforce this measure. if an ?online verification code?, was created by a Department'that could become part of the registration process i believe the department can play a role verifying accounts without compromising any private details of individuals, the O.V.C. would allow a crosscheck to be performed to confirm that the person is of the required age to own the particular social media account and that your name matches that of your application. raiser-1 1 {tn Roinn Staintemepartrnent of Teach Hamin Baiie Atria Chair, [1302 Hawkins House Dublinr E502 eon/Tet {or} 835 400D Face/Fa): (013635 4001 R-phost/Emaii . Suiomh Gr?aeai?/Web \ruwwiiealti'Lcnawe If. g: In years to come we will all look back at this situation and ask ourselves why did chance to do something but we did nothing. I would really appreciate your interest and support in assisting the Government in developing allowing the many benefits of being connected to social media platforms like Facebook to be enjoyed and valued by the many'users all over the world. I look forward to your reply and also want to take this opportunity to wish you a happy Christmas and a peaceful New Year. Sincerely, 47p Daly TD. Minister for Mental Health and Older People roan-H": An Fioinn Slainteffaepartment of ?eaith Teach Haicin B?ile Azha Clinih. r302 vwgo Hawkins House Dublin, [305? VWQO FO?fTel 635 ?1000 FacsiFax [Oil 635 4001 R~pltostIE?taii . Bufomh Gl??as?in??ieb .. . .- 122 Popular Arn'i i. Fw: Our Ref caxmexosmzma Re: Your letter #1 {Cf-titre- Derek McCormack 09102120181342 t. ate 2:53.; i teti Minister Daiy?s Private Office Room 917 Department of Health Hawkins House Hawkins Street Dublin 2 D02 VWQO E-Maii: Forwarded by Padraig on 09/029018 15:40 From: Niamh Sweeney "to: Jim Daty Cc: Date: 08f01/2018 12:11 .Esubjeot: Re: Our Ref CBIFAPI08012018 Re: Your letter Many thanks, Conor. That?s-much appreciated. Happy new year, Niamh Sent horn my il?hone On 8 Jan 2018, at 10:46, Jim Daly wrote: Dear Niamh, I wish to acknowledge your below email to the Minister and thank you for same. Rest assured that I will bring your email to the Ministers direct attention. I note in your email that you would like to meet with the Minister to discuss his proposal surrounding online safety. Therefore I have copied the Ministers diary manager on this email, who will arrange same and revert to you directly. Kindest regards, Conor Conor Breen Parliamentary Assistant - Jirn Daly TD. Minister for Mental Health and Older People - South Main St. Bandon, Co. Cork res. [Inactive hide details for Niamh Sweeney ?-08/01/2018 09:36:57mDear Minister Daly, Many thanks for your letter dated December]Niamh Sweeney Minister Daly, Many thanks for your letter dated December 20, which I received today. Date: 08/01/2018 09:36 Subject: Your letter Dear Minister Daly, Many thanks for your letter dated December 20, which I received today. While I understand the motivation behind the Online Veri?cation Code, it would raise some very dif?cult privacy and data protection?related issues, particularly with respect to the principle of data minimisation, as captured by Article 5 of the General Data Protection Regulation. But I would welcome an opportunity to meet with you in the new year to discuss your proposal, aswell as Facebook?s approach to online safety, together with my colleagues who head up our Content Policy, Safety and Data Protection teams here in Dublin. We would be very happy to host you at our International HQ in Grand Canal Square, or to come to the Department if that was preferable. In the meantime, I thought I might share the opening statement we delivered at a hearing of the Joint Oireachtas Children 81. Youth Affairs Committee on December 6. I know that, as Chair of the Committee, you spearheaded their important work on the issue of cybersecurity for children. Many thanks again for your letter. I very much appreciate you contacting me directly to share your concerns and to engage with us. - Nollaig Shona agus faoi Mhaise Duit, Niamh Niamh Sweeney Head of Public Policy, Ireland Facebook 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2 (See attached file: PB Opemng Statement to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children Youth Affairs?Dec 6 nil u: Oireaehtas email policy and disclaimer. Beartas riomhphoist an Oireachtais agus s?anadh. him/Am: 0 i 1'6. <12036819.jpg> <12844449.gif> Opening Statement to the Joii?lt Oireachtas Committee 011 Children Youth aahaak I - :i 19$: 3 . ti? 12036819.ij graycolgif 12844449.gif gl- .. Fw: Meeting with Minister Daly at Facebook HQ . emu?J i'y?iinia'ir?rn?ll?izti" "?i?itte Derek McCormaCk 0910212018 15:43 Minister Daly?s Private Office Room 917 . Department of Health Hawkins House Hawkins Street Dublin 2 002 VWQO . . E?Maii: Forwarded by Padraig on 09f02l2018 15:42 To: mister alyFO ice@healt Date: 16/01/2018 16:19 . .. Minister?airaiWeberHQ .. .. Dear Fiona, Many thanks for your email. We look forward to welcoming the Minister to our office at 4 Grand Canal Square on Wednesday, February 14 at 9am. We are located at the corner of Misery Hill and Cardiff Lane, right beside the Bord Gais Theatre. You might let me know who will accompany the Minister on the day when you get a chance. That will allow me to pre-register them. Best wishes, Niamh Niamh Sweeney I Head of Public Policy, Ireland Facebook 4 Grand Canal Square, Dublin 2 Erem: on behalf ef 2018 at 3:28 PM Subject: Re: Meeting with Minister Daly at Facebook HQ Dear Niamh, Further to my phone call to you today, i have provisionally booked Minister Daiy to meet with you and your Colleagues in Facebook HQ on Wednesday February 14th at 9.00am. i took fowvard to hearing from you to confirm the availability of your colieagues. Kind regards Fiona Robson Minister Daiy's Private Office Room 917 Department of Health Hawkins House - Hawkins Street Dublin 2 002 VWQO Mail: ministordaiy?o?ioa?healm gov. ie Email Disclaimer and; Legal Notice. http: [/health. gov. iefemail disclaimer/ -- Fw: Claire Byrne Live Public Services Card, Privacy, Child Protection 45? Derek McCormack 05102120181230 Minister Daly's Private Office Room 917 Department of Health Hawkins House Hawkins Street Dublin 2 D02 VW90 E-Mail: Forwarded by Padraig on 0510212018 12:25 rem: Jim Daly To; Cc: ministerdely_o ice healthgowe Date: 2310112018 10:02 Subject: Re: Claire Byrne Live Public Services Card, Privacy. Chiid Protection 53.9?? W: .96therine Dear Rob, i wish to acknowledge and thank you for your email below to Minister Daiy, i have copied the Minister?s diary secretary on this email to process your meeting request. Kind regards, Catherine Catherine O'Donoghue - Constiiuency Of?ce Manager - Jim Daly TD, Minister for Mental Health and Oider People - Rob Lesiie Minister Daiy, was listening to your interview on Ciaire Byrne live just now regarding your To; "iirn.daly@oir.ie" Cc: Date: 22i01i2018 23:18 . Subject: Claire Byrne Live - Public Services Card, Privacy, Chiid Protection Dear Minister Daly, i was listening to your interview on Ciaire Byrne iive just now regarding your request for social media accounts to be verified through the use of the Pubiic Services Card. My company, Sedicii, has deveioped a technology that aiiows identity to be veri?ed between any two parties, without the necessity for the person?s information to be disclosed in the process. In ot prove who they are and still remain anonymous or pseudonymous because no personaliy identifiabie information is ear-changed. Ifa person faiis to prove who they are, existing legal processes can be used to reconstruct their identity and that person can be physically identified and brought to account. her words, a person can i have been trying to introduce it to the Dept. of Social Protection and could benefit from some Ministerial support to have it assessed. Currently the technology is undergoing CTAS certification in the UK to allow it to be used for UK government applications such as passport veri?cation. (We buiit a demonstrator for the UK Passport Of?ce for real-time verification of passport data at source) We are also in discussion with the governments of Malta and Estonia. As an lrish company with an irish deve technology, it. wouid be great to see the tech noiogy being deployed in our home country first before others take it. extremeiy successful My company is a Worid Economic Forum Technology Pioneer which puts us into an elite group of companies like Googie, Twitter, Facebook, Dropbox and others. We have won many awa weicome the opportunity to introduce it to you. i believe it will solve the problem of protecting privacy while at the same time-providing the security you seek for chiidren. for our technology and wouid lwouid be delighted to meet you and introduce the technology in more detail. I look forward to hearing from you. Kind regards, Rob Leslie CEO Sedicii innovations Ltd, ArcLabs Research 8L innovation Center, West Campus, Carriganore, Waterford Ireland MObile: email: Oireachtas email policy and disclaimer. Beartas riomhphoist an Oil'eachtais agus s?anadh.