Summary
- Impress Dispute Resolutions (IDR) launches a dispute settlement service to resolve illegal online content complaints on September 8, 2026.
- The service decides complaints about illegal content on social media, including deepfakes and content that breaches privacy rights. It also covers account suspensions and demonetisation decisions where these were made on illegal content grounds.
- Available for free to users in Ireland and the rest of the EU.
- Platforms such as Google, TikTok, and Meta, covered and will pay the costs for decisions found against them.
Being online in 2026 can be exhausting.
Our digital spaces are saturated with misleading content, AI‑generated fabrications, and targeted harassment.
Ordinary users can find themselves silenced, banned, or attacked — often with no clear route to challenge decisions made by major platforms.
To meet this challenge, on September 8, 2026, Impress Dispute Resolutions (IDR) launches its new Out‑of‑Court Dispute Settlement (ODS) body, providing a free, independent mechanism for users to contest harmful content and platform decisions under the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).
The launch comes amid ongoing disquiet over the presence and proliferation of illegal content online. In August, Tánaiste Simon Harris accused social media companies of “platforming illegal activity”, while regulators in the UK and Ireland have probed several major online platforms over their response and management of illegal content.
IDR seeks to provide online users more opportunity for redress, and work with platforms to make being online a safer experience.
IDR’s scheme is available to users in Ireland and the EU and covers major platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube. Complaints will be managed through Impress’ Dublin subsidiary, Impress Dispute Resolutions, and the service is free to users, with costs borne by the platforms subject to complaints, for matters found in the user’s favour.
Formed out of Impress — the UK’s sole independent regulator of the press, recognised under Royal Charter — this new service empowers the public to act against illegal online content including deepfake images, electoral misinformation, hate speech, violence, and non‑consensual behaviour.
While IDR’s decisions are non-binding, platforms are required under EU law to engage with ODS services like IDR in good faith. IDR will work closely with platforms to engender cooperation and amicable outcomes for all parties.
Additionally, aggregated data from every decision IDR makes will be used to support enforcement of the Digital Services Act by the European Commission. That means that every complaint will support systemic improvements to the online landscape for everyone.
The scheme is currently available to EU citizens, or those whose cases have a substantial link to the EU, and is decided under Irish law.
At present, there are no equivalent powers or individual redress available under the UK’s Online Safety Act, though similar provision has been made for alternative dispute resolution under Section 217 that can be activated at the discretion of the Secretary of State.
Users will be able to submit complaints to IDR from September 8, 2026.
“Over the past decade, we’ve supported thousands of people harmed in the media – and demand has never been higher,” said IDR Co-Founder Gia Thom.
“When your identity is deepfaked or your account is wrongly banned, it’s not just frustrating — it can be devastating. For the first time, individual people can challenge illegal content decisions without cost, complexity, or fear. ODS is a world first and the missing piece of online safety – real redress for real people.”
“Impress has delivered independent and effective redress for the public harmed by the media for over a decade, and we are very pleased to extend our proven service to those harmed by decisions of tech platforms,” said IDR Co-Founder and CEO of Impress, Lexie Kirkconnell‑Kawana.“We know intimately and rise to the challenge of balancing the rights of individuals, groups and organisations while upholding the law and protecting free speech. Impress represents integrity in all that we do, and we will continue to embody this principle in providing fair outcomes for all participants to our scheme.”
What complaints can we investigate?
Impress is the only ODS body in Ireland certified exclusively to tackle illegal content claims, allowing us to focus on the types of media that cause the most harm.
Authorised by Irish media regulator Coimisiún na Meán (CnaM) under the DSA, IDR can assess complaints relating to:
- Illegal or harmful speech
- Negative impacts on civic discourse or elections
- Acts of violence
- Non‑consensual behaviours including bullying or intimidation
- Data protection and privacy violations
- Intellectual property infringements
Examples of this could include AI-generated deepfakes shared without consent, false claims about voting processes, or misinformation.
The scheme also allows IDR to examine decision-making behind why platforms demonetise content or suspend social media accounts.
Our independent legal team works with platforms to resolve complaints quickly and amicably. Outcomes may include reinstatement or removal of accounts or content, or in some cases, guidance on remuneration for financial losses.
John Evans, Digital Services Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, said: “Coimisiún na Meán ensures each ODS body meets the criteria of impartiality, independence, expertise and cost-effectiveness before certification, and maintains transparency and high standards in managing disputes from members of the public.’’
IDR has worked with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) to appoint a panel of highly qualified expert lawyers in Ireland, who will sit independently of IDR to ensure claims are handled fairly.
“CIArb are very excited to partner with Impress towards delivering this innovative scheme that can respond effectively to user needs,” said Niall Buckley SC, Chairperson of Ciarb’s Irish Branch.
“The new scheme promises a swift and cost efficient out-of-court dispute resolution process for users and consumer of online content which can deliver independence, integrity and expertise.”
How the ODS Programme Is Costed
Under the Digital Services Act legislation, users can be charged a low fee. To guarantee independence and accessibility, costs are borne by the platforms in matters found against them. IDR opts to remove the cost to users, ensuring they face no financial barrier when challenging harmful content or platform decisions.
This model ensures:
- No cost to users
- Incentives for efficiencies
- Independence, as funding may not come from complainants or government and regulation ensures it cannot be capture by interested parties.
“Access to help for harm shouldn’t depend on income – that’s why our service is free for users,” said Impress Dispute Resolutions Co-Founder Gia Thom. “If platforms have the power, as people we need protection. ODS is a free, neutral way to level the playing field.”
“We’re non‑profit by design, which keeps IDR independent, credible, and focused on strengthening the information ecosystem.”
Impress’ story so far
Impress was founded in 2016 to promote integrity and freedom of the press following the Leveson Inquiry. Its regulatory membership has grown from zero to the largest network of regulated independent publishers in the UK, welcoming organisations that commit voluntarily commit to the Impress Standards Code.
Membership has increased steadily — around 10% annually since 2020 — now comprising more than 150 publishers and more than 230 titles. Members range from large platforms such as Novara Media and The Bureau of Investigative Journalism to established independent organisations including The Bristol Cable, OpenDemocracy and the International Network of Street Papers.
More than a decade of successfully operating the only Leveson-compliant regulator has shown that the framework gives results: in the seven years up to 2025, the number of complaints across publications went down 46%, the average number of yearly corrections published decreased by 62%, and of those who have had a complaint upheld against them in the history of Impress regulation, 81% have never reoffended.
Since inception, Impress has operated the only recognised arbitration service for publishers and the public, ensuring that no publication has been successfully sued or unfairly silenced in that time. Expanded in 2024 to cover alternative dispute resolution for all media related matters (primarily through mediation and arbitration) the launch of IDR further strengthens its expertise in independent dispute resolution.
For interviews or further information, contact media@impressdisputeresolutions.org.
Visit impressdisputeresolutions.org for FAQs and guidance on submitting complaints.
Press photos of CEO Lexie Kirkconnell‑Kawana and Co-Founder Gia Thom are available upon request.