Detecting non-consensual images, XCheck report published and a new taskforce

Hello and welcome to Everything in Moderation, your in-a-nutshell review of the latest online speech, safety and content moderation news from the last week. It's written by me, Ben Whitelaw.

Festive greetings to new subscribers from Access Now, Teyit, Hinge, the University of Notre Dame, CounterHate, Handshake and elsewhere. Those of you that signed up last week expecting a newsletter, apologies; I was ill.

This is the penultimate newsletter of 2022 and frankly, I've no idea where the year has gone. I'll share a rundown of the last 12 months next week so be sure to check that out (or don't, if you'd rather not be reminded).

There's a hefty Product section in today's edition including some notable funding news that I think gives a taste of what we can expect in 2023. Hit reply with your best comments and critiques and, if you are able to support the costs of running EiM in these straightened economic times, become an individual or organisational member from just $80 a year.

Here's everything in moderation this week — BW

PS If you're interested in submitting a panel session about moderation or online safety for next year's International Journalism Festival, drop me a line.

Policies

New and emerging internet policy and online speech regulation

Ireland this week signed into law its long-awaited (but not as long as the UK's own) Online Safety Bill, which creates a new Media Commission that will act as a regulator for broadcasters but also online platforms. Experts have previously raised concerns that the Bill could conflict with provisions in the Digital Services Act (EiM #143) and there is, as Tech vs Terrorism explain, "uncertainty as to how the law will work in practice both in the present and future climate". Nonetheless, it's been widely welcomed by those working on children's rights.