Tánaiste says court action should not be needed to unmask malicious fake profiles

By David Young, PA

People should not have to go to court to find out who is behind fake internet profiles that misrepresent or defame them, the Tanaiste has said.

Micheál Martin referenced his recent High Court case against Google as he responded to an allegation from independent TD Verona Murphy that Fianna Fáil candidates were using fake profiles to promote their electoral chances at the expense of rivals.

Ms Murphy suggested potential Fianna Fáil candidates or already elected representatives were engaging in activity online that was in breach of the law.

She did not name any individual as she made the claims during Leaders’ Questions in the Dáil.

Mr Martin said he had no idea what she was alleging and challenged her to substantiate her claims by naming people she was accusing of using fake profiles.

He went on to make more general comments on the use of such profiles and also spoke about his successful High Court case last year when he sought information from Google on who was behind fake ads that used his image to promote a Cryptocurrency scam.

“I was portrayed as supporting some investment,” he told TDs.

“What concerned me was I had to go to the courts to seek an order from Google as to who was behind those ads.

“No one should have to go to court to find out who was behind advertisements or material that is defamatory of an individual in the first instance but, secondly, could mislead ordinary citizens into losing their money or investing in false products or products that would be scams or whatever like that.”

Wexford TD Ms Murphy asked Mr Martin what his party’s policy was on members using fake individual or community-based profiles to influence their electoral chances.

“I think the question people are asking is do you, as the Tánaiste and the leader of Fianna Fáil, condone candidates who hide behind fake profiles, do you agree that a core issue for any elected representative must be honesty and transparency?” she said.

Mr Martin replied: “If you’re suggesting somebody is, maybe you should call it out, if there’s validity to it.”

He accused Ms Murphy of indulging in “innuendo” as he made clear Fianna Fáil had a social media policy and a disciplinary process to deal with breaches of it.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he added.

“In terms of specifics, I have no idea what you’re alleging, who you’re alleging it against, you’ve just thrown something out there into the ether, which is not a very honest way of doing things either.

“I mean, if you have a problem with a particular person, say to me, say to the Fianna Fáil party.”

Mr Martin said his view was all candidates and elected representatives should be “transparent, upfront and open” in their communications.