Social network Channel registration duties
If you have a YouTube channel, share videos on TikTok, Facebook Watch or Instagram, it is likely that you are subject to a new reporting obligation to the Media Services Council (“the Council”). In this article, we look at who does and does not have a duty to seek authorisation from the Council and who has a notification duty and who has no duty towards the Council.
Common users of social networks
In short, as long as you are a common user of social networks such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or TikTok, where you share your videos occasionally and they are private and not published for profit (e.g. monetization through advertising, promotion of your own or someone else’s products or services), you do not have any obligation towards the Council.
I have a channel on social network, do I have a duty?
For example, if you have a channel on YouTube or another platform and you promote your services or products through it as an entrepreneur, then your channel is of an economic nature and you have an obligation to apply to the Council for authorisation in the case of a legal person and, if you are a natural person, you have a notification obligation.
If you own a YouTube channel as a natural person, you are not an entrepreneur, but you operate the channel for profit, then you are very likely to have a notification obligation towards the Council. This is also the case if you have a monetised channel and even if you do not have a monetised channel and you are promoting either your products or services or products of someone else on the channel.
Neither the frequency of posting videos, nor the number of videos on your channel, has any impact on whether or not you have a reporting obligation.
I have a business channel, what duty do I have?
Before you start broadcasting, you must apply for authorisation for your corporate channel on which you want to promote your company’s products, for instance. The Council has 90 days to grant this authorisation and we recommend that you apply well in advance.
What is the fee for authorisation?
The amount of the fee obligation depends on which authorisation you are applying for. Contact us for more information.
We can help you
You can also submit a request for authorisation or notification for your social media channel through our office, we will provide further information once you contact us via the contact form, by email or by phone.
