Tag: Digital

UX Firm Each&Other Creates 10 New Jobs in UK Expansion and will Invest €500k in its Team to Support the Expansion of Fractional UX and Service Capabilities

Each&Other, one of Ireland’s leading independent digital consultancies, is creating 10 new jobs in the UK and Dublin as it continues to scale the company.  The company is investing €500k in its team to support the expansion and enhance its fractional UX and service design capabilities.

UK industry veteran, Ben Logan has been appointed as UK Strategy & Growth Lead.  Ben was founder and former MD of Spotless, a London-based UX Research and Service Design agency and brings over 20 years of leadership experience to Each&Other.

The new jobs, due to be created by the end of 2026, will be in the areas of UX designers, graphic designers and content strategists serving International clients and will bring the total number of employees at Each&Other to 35.

Each&Other delivers award-winning digital experiences using a customer-centred approach to product development.  The company helps clients to grow their business, increase customer satisfaction and ship great products.  Creativity, people and partnerships are intrinsic to the company.  With their combined strengths and diverse expertise, Each&Other is committed to making a difference to each client’s unique requirements.

“2025 represents a huge milestone in Each&Other’s history,” explains Brian Herron, Director at Each&Other.  “We have grown rapidly since our founding, and we continue to scale the company at a fast pace.  Each&Other is a dynamic, ambitious and innovation-led company at the cutting edge of its industry.  We are delighted to welcome Ben to help us grow in the UK, enter new markets and continue to deliver world-class strategy, research and design for our clients.  This is an exciting time for the company and it’s a great opportunity for talented people to join our growing team.”

Each&Other’s clients span technology, finance, government, telecoms, retail and education companies.

About Each&Other

Each&Other is an Irish strategic UX design firm delivering digital customer experiences that help organisations grow and deliver great digital products to their customers.  Creativity, people and partnerships are intrinsic to Each&Other.  With their combined strengths and diverse expertise, the company is committed to making a difference to each client’s unique requirements.

Established in 2014, Each&Other is based in Dublin, employs 25 people and delivers research and digital design projects throughout EU, Middle East and USA.

Aer Lingus Launches Onboard Digital Donations in Support of UNICEF

Aer Lingus and UNICEF Ireland has announced the launch of a new onboard digital donation capability, offering customers new ways to contribute to UNICEF’s vital work for children around the world. Customers flying on Aer Lingus long-haul services can now scan a QR code or tap their bank card on cabin crew devices to make quick, secure donations directly to UNICEF during their flight, in addition to the traditional collection of cash donations.

Onboard digital payments are the latest development in Aer Lingus’ partnership with UNICEF that spans over two decades. Since 1997, Aer Lingus and its customers have raised over $23 million in support of UNICEF’s global programmes – funding essential services such as clean water, nutrition, vaccines, education, and emergency relief for children living in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

With many travellers now carrying less cash, this new digital option ensures donations are more accessible and convenient than ever before. Cash donations will still be gratefully accepted onboard, providing customers with flexibility in how they choose to give.

Onboard, customers will hear a video message from UNICEF Ireland Ambassador, Broadcaster and Rugby Player, Donncha O’Callaghan, highlighting some of UNICEF’s key work and outlining how donations can be made in three easy ways – via a QR code, without needing to pay for Wi-Fi, by contactless card payment on crew devices, or by sharing cash donations.

Aer Lingus will also support a number of special collections on board both its long-haul and short-haul services in 2025, with a special collection for Ecuador to take place in the coming weeks. The special appeal for Ecuador follows a visit by Aer Lingus UNICEF Ambassadors to Ecuador earlier this year, who witnessed first-hand the issue of unsafe drinking water in many parts of the country. It’s estimated that 6 out of 10 children under five in Ecuador are drinking contaminated water, putting them at risk of deadly disease, parasites, and chronic malnutrition. Through this special collection and the introduction of onboard digital donations, Aer Lingus aims to boost awareness and funding for UNICEF’s work on the ground in Ecuador to provide safe water, and hygiene facilities to keep children healthy and in school.

Commenting at the launch, Lynne Embleton, CEO of Aer Lingus, said: “Our partnership with UNICEF is embraced across Aer Lingus, especially by our cabin crew who champion it onboard our transatlantic services every day. Thanks to our customers’ generosity, we’ve raised over $23 million to date and we want to keep growing that figure. Digital donations on board is a natural next step in our partnership, to bring new ways for customers to support UNICEF’s vital work worldwide.”

Peter Power, Executive Director of UNICEF Ireland, added: “Aer Lingus customers have shown extraordinary generosity over the past 28 years, and we’re delighted to see this partnership evolve in line with the digital age. These donations help us respond faster and more effectively to the needs of children who are most at risk around the world.”

UNICEF ambassador Donncha O’Callaghan, added: “I’ve been on the ground with UNICEF seeing first-hand the difference UNICEF makes for children who are facing the hardest of circumstances – kids who’ve lost everything, but still have hope. That hope is possible because of support from partners like Aer Lingus and their customers. For over 25 years, in-flight donations have helped change lives. This new way of donating onboard might seem like a small gesture, but I can tell you—it matters. It really can change a child’s future.”

For more information, visit aerlingus.com

Kinore Named Xero Ireland Partner of the Year 2025 For the Fifth Year Running

Kinore, formerly known as Accountant Online, a leading cloud accounting and advisory firm, has been awarded Xero Ireland Partner of the Year 2025, marking the fifth year in a row the firm has received this accolade.

The award, presented by Xero, a global leader in cloud-based accounting software, recognises outstanding performance, innovation, and commitment to excellence in delivering cloud accounting services. Kinore’s consistent recognition is a testament to its expertise, personalised client support, and full-service finance and business support that leverages technology to provide innovative, client-focused solutions.

Members of the Kinore team pictured at the XERO Awards, where the business was awarded Xero Ireland Partner of the Year 2025 for the fifth year in a row.

Accepting the award, Kinore’s founder and CEO, Larissa Feeney said:

“We’re delighted to receive this award for the fifth consecutive year. It’s a strong reflection of the consistent effort and high standards our team brings to their work, and the steady growth we’ve achieved as a business. Recognition like this reinforces our commitment to delivering excellent service and continuing to move forward, year after year. A sincere thank you to our team for their professionalism and dedication, and to our clients for their continued trust.”

Members of the Kinore team pictured  at a recent awards’ ceremony

Since launching in 2017, Kinore has seen impressive growth, with an average annual revenue increase of 30% serving over 2,500 clients across Ireland and the UK. CEO, Larissa Feeney’s visionary approach is highlighted by the development of MyKinore, the company’s onboarding platform, which has streamlined operations, enhanced client experiences and positioned Kinore as a leader in digital transformation. 

In 2024, the company rebranded to Kinore to better reflect its evolution and the expanding range of services it provides. The rebrand underscores Kinore’s future ambitions, with projections indicating the firm is on track to achieve €15 million in revenue by 2028 (currently €4.1million). The company is expanding its service offerings, providing clients with outsourced financial management, bookkeeping, payroll services, and more, ensuring businesses have the tools to thrive in a competitive business landscape.

Kinore’s founder and CEO, Larissa Feeney

In addition to winning the Xero Award, Kinore was also shortlisted in five categories for the Irish Accountancy Awards. Additionally, Kinore has been recognised in the Digital Transformation & AI Awards, with nominations for Best Customer Experience Impact, Best Operational Impact, and Best Digital Transformation in Financial & Professional Services for the My Kinore Platform.

As Kinore looks ahead, the team remains committed to delivering forward-thinking, people-first solutions for businesses across Ireland and beyond.

For more information about Kinore, visit www.kinore.com

 

Ireland puts pressure on Big Tech to tackle surge in online financial ad scams

Online financial scams are accumulating a substantial toll within the European Union, as consumers continue to be defrauded at an estimated €4.3 billion in 2022, and similar trends continuing in the year after. 

Sophisticated yet misleading advertisements have been pushed across major social media and technology platforms have become a primary conduit for these fraudulent activities.

Ireland’s stand: A push for pre-emptive action from tech giants

In response to the escalating threat, Ireland is spearheading an important initiative within the EU that proposes a rule change that would force Big Tech companies to vet financial advertisers before their advertisements are published. 

At the core of this Irish amendment, which would add to the already extensive payment services regulation, is to mandate that only financial service providers (who are officially registered with national competent authorities) would be permitted to run financial ads within the EU. 

Such a proactive stance is designed to shift the onus of initial verification onto the platforms themselves, in part because those with the broadest shoulders should bear the greatest burden. Though, the crux of the debate is simply that if a platform “airs” an ad, they should be responsible for it. 

The debate has similarities to the debate of whether web hosting providers, particularly cheap and accessible providers like IONOS, should be responsible for the sites that they host. The proposal has gained a lot of eyes, and traction, with around half of EU member states reportedly expressing support. Though, figures like US President Donald Trump have previously advocated for scaling back the regulation of major American technology firms, so this could further stoke the fire of what appears to be the EU and US going head to head.

Digital Services Act and internal conflict 

Ireland may well face internal conflict too, as a big challenge to the proposal lies in its potential conflict with the EU’s landmark Digital Services Act (DSA). Several EU diplomats have indicated that the European Commission sees a requirement for Big Tech to pre-vet online advertisers as contravening the DSA provisions, which generally don’t force platforms to conduct broad-based, proactive monitoring of content. Of course, broadly speaking, the mood around this topic might be changing, and Irish MEP Regina Doherty has countered that the requirement can be structured to align with existing law. Doherty claims it could focus on verifying the advertiser’s authorised status rather than policing the specific content of each ad, a little bit like how one must be FCA authorised to conduct crypto ads in the UK now. 

Alternative suggestions also exist, like Poland’s proposal for streamlined communication between payment providers and platforms to facilitate post-fraud content removal. Though, this is deemed insufficient by industry critics who argue this reactive approach fails to address the speed and impact of initial fraudulent postings. 

Supporting the need for more proactive urgency, the Bank of Ireland claimed that over 75% of its customers’ fraud losses during the past year come from investment scams, of which many are promoted online.

Creating a safer digital financial ecosystem

The growing crisis of online financial ad scams highlights that something needs to be done, and as is often the case, the EU is where it is most likely to happen. As Ireland pushes for this proactive amendment, we are yet to see how not only internal disagreements play out, but also how US Big Tech reacts to their ongoing battles with the EU.

Facial recognition systems: applications, benefits and service providers

Facial recognition  technology (FRT) has been around for years now. However, with the technology rapidly evolving, including AI-based solutions, FRT is becoming even faster and better at analysing unique facial features. So, in this article, we’ll look into how this technology actually works, where it can (and is) used, as well as who are currently the key players in the industry.

How does facial recognition work?

At its core, facial recognition technology uses sophisticated AI, particularly machine learning (ML) and deep learning algorithms. The process begins with detection, where the system identifies and isolates a human face within an image or video. Next is analysis, also known as feature extraction, which involves mapping out the unique facial landmarks of your face.

For example, things like the distance between your eyes, the shape of your nose, the contour of your jawline, or the subtle differences in your eyebrows all make up who you are. This is also referred to as a “faceprint” or the biometric template of your face. Once this information is processed, it’s usually converted into a numerical code, which is matched with the one associated with you. The accuracy and reliability of facial recognition heavily depend on the quality of the database and the sophistication of the algorithms.

Diverse applications of FRT

Facial recognition’s applications are already extensive and growing daily. For instance, it’s already a critical tool in security and law enforcement. Agencies can use it to identify suspects from a vast database of CCTV footage, scan large crowds for a person of interest, secure access to sensitive facilities, and so on. You’ve also most likely run into it at the airport passport check, where the machine verifies your identity against your passport. In fact, many people believe your face will become your boarding pass at the airport in the future.

In commercial and consumer applications, FRT brings a lot of convenience. One of the most familiar uses is to unlock our smartphones and laptops just with a glance. Online retail shops are also increasingly offering personalised experiences to customers, using the same technology. Contactless payments can also now be authorised using facial verification instead of passwords. On social media, photo tags are automatically recommended, as platforms can recognise the people associated with you, based on the names you’ve provided.

Moreover, the healthcare sector is where we see a lot of important applications. Facial recognition technology can help prevent various medical errors by accurately identifying patients as well as streamlining hospital check-ins. Experimental systems are even aiming to monitor patient conditions, like diagnosing rare diseases or assessing their pain level, all by analysing their facial dysmorphology.

The benefits of facial recognition implementation

The implementation of facial recognition technology offers numerous incredible benefits across various different industries. Foremost is enhanced security – FRT enables proactive threat detection and more effective crime prevention, improving both public and private safety. Beyond security, it drives improved efficiency and automation. Processes like identity verification, employee check-ins or physical access control are streamlined, reducing the need for manual monitoring.

Of course, FRT brings many benefits to our day-to-day lives too, by making different tasks more seamless. We have quick, contactless, intuitive interactions with our technology, from unlocking a phone to entering a building. Modern systems boast impressive accuracy and speed, quickly becoming the new normal in our homes and workplaces.

Key players in the FRT services

If you are looking to implement facial recognition in your organisation, partnering up with a reliable company will be here. Here are some of the best service providers in the industry today:

Digital Sense

Using the DSBio Face Recognition System (FRS), Digital Sense aims to turn complex projects into simple solutions. Their technology boasts 99.76% accuracy, allowing for reliable identification and verification of faces in real-time.

NEC Corporation

Based in Japan, NEC Corporation is a global biometrics leader, offering high-accuracy facial recognition technology NeoFace. These are widely adopted by law enforcement, border control, and enterprises for robust identity verification and enhanced security.

Clearview AI

Clearview AI primarily serves law enforcement with a controversial, vast database from public internet sources. Its powerful search is a game-changer in police investigations, with 99%+ accuracy, although it has sparked some debates over data collection and privacy practices.

Thales

Thales excels in digital identity and security. They offer biometrics for government programs, enterprise access, secure IDs, aerospace, and advanced border management systems incorporating facial recognition.

The future of face recognition

Facial recognition technology can be absolutely transformative across many sectors, particularly as it keeps getting even faster, more precise, reliable, and powerful. However, despite all of its advantages, the technology is increasingly challenged with privacy concerns, as vast amounts of public data are collected to train it for security purposes. There are also rising worries regarding potential identity theft crimes, as AI face recognition is fast becoming widely accessible to everyone. Ultimately, the positives outweigh the negatives, and with enough transparency and accountability, it can continue to serve individuals and the public safely.

How New EU Rules Will Shape the Future of Digital Identity Wallets

Digital identity wallets are at the cusp of transforming how we verify ourselves online – and the European Union is laying the legal and technical groundwork to make them mainstream. The European Parliament recently approved a new framework known as eIDAS 2.0, which will revolutionise not only how Europeans log into websites but also how they interact with banks, healthcare providers, educational institutions and governments. 

With this legislative shift, Europe is doubling down on the idea that digital identity should be secure, and citizen-centric across all EU countries. But as with any sweeping change, there’s nuance to unpack particularly when it comes to privacy.

 

What Are Digital Identity Wallets? 

A digital identity wallet is a secure app that allows individuals to store and share verifiable personal credentials like driver’s licenses. Diplomas, and health records on their smartphones. Think of it like Apple Wallet but for much more than credit cards or plane tickets. Under the new EU regulations, these wallets will become standardised and available to every EU citizen and resident, free of charge. 

 Although the goal is to make identification seamless there’s still a rise in no KYC online casinos. These platforms allow users to gamble using cryptocurrencies without verifying their identity. Their appeal lies in the fact users enjoy hundreds of games, instant withdrawals, and loyalty perks, all while maintaining their privacy.

Key Features of the New EU Digital Identity Framework

At the heart of the new digital identity push is user control. Unlike centralised databases, EU-approved digital wallets will store credentials locally on a user’s device. Only the user decides what to share and with whom. If you’re applying for a loan, you might only share your credit score, not your entire banking history. 

Digital wallets come with several standout features that enhance both privacy and convenience. One of the most notable is the use of Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs), which allow users to verify specific facts (such as being over 18) without revealing sensitive information like their exact birthdate. 

These wallets also offer cross-border compatibility, making it possible for, say, a student from Italy to use the same digital credentials when applying for a scholarship in Germany or a job in Sweden. Additionally, digital wallets can integrate with third-party services, enabling users to log into platforms like online shopping sites, banking apps, or gig economy platforms with ease.

The ultimate promise here is seamless interaction, whether with government services or commercial applications. 

Potential Impact on Businesses and Platforms

For companies, especially those that rely heavily on user data, these rules are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, digital wallets make it easier to onboard users securely. On the other, they shift control over data away from platforms and back to individuals, disrupting existing monetization models based on third party data collection. 

Take social media, for example. Platforms like Facebook or Instagram often monetise by gathering behavioural data. But if users authenticate with verifiable digital identities, and restrict the data they share, companies may have to rethink how they target ads or analyse user behaviour. 

Balancing Security With Privacy

There’s a fine line between making life easier for users and creating a tool that governments or bad actors could exploit. Critics of eIDAS 2.0 worry that even if digital wallets are designed with privacy in mind, central authorities or third parties could still pressure providers to include backdoors. 

To address this, the EU has embedded privacy to design and open-source transparency into the framework. Wallet providers must undergo certification, ensuring they meet strict technical and ethical standards. Still, whether this will satisfy skeptics remains to be seen.  

Europe’s Innovation Path Forward

Briefly but significantly, this initiative signals something larger. Europe is choosing to lead with innovation grounded in regulation. While Silicon Valley often chases disruption and China leans into state-led control, the EU is carving out its niche as a tech policy trendsetter. With digital wallets, they’re not just catching up, they’re setting the standard. 

This innovation isn’t limited to identity. The EU is already piloting AI governance, digital euro projects and sustainability-linked fintech frameworks. Together, these initiatives aim to foster a secure and ethically sound digital ecosystem, where both businesses and citizens benefit. 

What Comes Next?

Member states have until 2026 to roll out compliant digital identity wallets. That means in the next 12 to 24 months, we’ll likely see a flurry of public-private partnerships, app development and educational campaigns aimed at preparing citizens, businesses and institutions to shift. Governments will need to work closely with tech companies, financial service providers, universities and healthcare systems to ensure smooth integration across sectors. 

But adoption will ultimately depend on trust and convenience. If people feel safe using these wallets and find them more practical than current alternatives, they’ll become the default way to navigate the internet. If not, they risk going the way clunky government portals and forgotten smartcard experiments. 

One wildcard is how non-European companies like Apple, Google or Meta could respond. Will they build wallet-compatible services to retain European users or will they push back, leading to a showdown over who gets to shape digital identity infrastructure? 

With billions of users and enormous influences, these companies could either be powerful allies in the rollout or major disruptors. This is especially if wallet integration threatens their current data-driven business models.

 

Bank of Ireland launches Sustainable Business Coach online platform for SMEs

Bank of Ireland has launched its new Sustainable Business Coach online platform, a free digital tool designed to support SME business customers with sustainability planning and to identify their ESG priorities.

Sustainable Business Coach, which is unique in the Irish market, is designed as an ESG questionnaire with businesses answering a series of multiple-choice questions. The results of the online assessment, which can be conducted at a pace that suits each business, provides a concise summary of their current sustainability position and covers key action areas such as:

  • Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
  • Employee engagement
  • Energy usage
  • Procurement
  • Water & waste management

Recent research conducted by Bank of Ireland revealed that a majority of SMEs are unclear on how to implement sustainable growth plans, with over 70% concerned about the impact ESG requirements could have on their own enterprises. Sustainable Business Coach provides SMEs with a structured roadmap to make meaningful progress in the sustainability space, with the online platform underpinned by a globally recognised framework based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

The launch of the easily accessible and free-of charge Sustainable Business Coach further enhances Bank of Ireland’s ESG ambitions, with the Bank on track to deliver its end-2025 sustainability-related lending target of €15 billion earlier than anticipated.

John Feeney, CEO, Corporate and Commercial, Bank of Ireland said: “‘Bank of Ireland is delighted to launch a new, free digital sustainability tool focused on Irish SMEs. Many of our business customers face time and resource challenges. Our goal is to deliver an easy-to-use online tool that can provide businesses with a practical and quick plan to support sustainability decision making.”

To find out more about the Bank of Ireland Sustainable Business Coach please click here: Bank of Ireland – Sustainability Coach    

Digital transformation in action: NI logistics firm deploys 3D scanning and big data with DTFF support

A Northern Ireland warehousing, logistics and shipping firm showcased how the introduction of emerging technologies into their operations has enabled them to “run shoulder to shoulder” with companies “three, four, five times the size” of theirs.

SJ Henderson Fulfilment is just one of 172 businesses across the country who have benefited from support from the Digital Transformation Flexible Fund (DTFF). Since November 2023 the fund has released £2.5 million into the business community to support the adoption of one or more of the six emerging technologies.

From AI and machine learning, process automation using robotics/cobotics and immersive tech such as AR and VR to big data and analytics, IoT and system integration and block chain; DTFF gives businesses the opportunity to improve internal systems and processes.

Recently, Stephen Henderson of SJ Henderson Fulfilment welcomed Department for Economy (DfE) Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald and representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to see how his innovative 3D imaging and big data driven tech scanner not only provides more accurate information for warehouse storage but also allows Stephen to maximise space whilst minimising costs for fulfilment clients.

The company, based in Kilkeel, Co Down, specialise in all aspects of online fulfilment, including e-fulfilment, warehousing and storage, pick and pack, distribution and returns management.

The £7.5 million DTFF programme operates across all four City and Growth Deal regions in Northern Ireland, reflecting a shared ambition between central and local government to deliver digitally driven innovation to accelerate business growth and regional economic development.

Having just completed the applications round of call four, expressions of interest are now open for call five applications in July.

DTFF is part-funded by the NI Executive, UK Government, DAERA and all local authorities in Northern Ireland. The programme is delivered by all 11 Councils under the Full Fibre Northern Ireland Consortium (FFNI) and is led by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, with support from Invest Northern Ireland.

Speaking at the site visit to SJ Henderson Fulfilment, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, Economy Minister said: “The Digital Transformation Flexible Fund provides funding for small and micro businesses across the north to engage in transformative digital solutions, which will drive innovation and boost productivity.

“SJ Henderson Fulfilment Ltd is a great example of a company which has taken the first step to automate its processes, which will pave the way for further digital transformation. This investment will make the company more efficient and allow it to fulfil more orders, increase its ability to meet the needs of more customers and grow its business.

“With £5 million of funding still available through this initiative, I encourage businesses across the north to seize this opportunity to increase transformation, boost competitiveness and accelerate economic growth.”

DTFF is part of a broader digital ecosystem that serves as a stepping stone for businesses seeking additional Growth Deal funding to grow and develop their ideas.

Highlighting the programme’s significance, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne explained: “The Digital Transformation Flexible Fund is not just about technology adoption; it’s about ensuring that businesses, regardless of size, have the opportunity to innovate, streamline operations and unlock new growth potential through digital transformation.

“SJ Henderson Fulfilment is a successful rural business in Newry, Mourne and Down and DTFF is a testament to our commitment to driving digital ambitions and supporting our local businesses as they embrace the future.”

The receipt of DTFF support represents a significant step in SJ Henderson Fulfilment’s digital transformation journey, allowing them to drive digital innovation within their operations.

Martin McKendry, DAERA’s Head of Food, Farming and Rural Affairs Group, added: “I am delighted to have visited SJ Henderson Fulfilment on behalf of Minister Muir.  It is interesting to see how the Digital Transformation Flexible Fund investment has helped SJ Henderson Fulfilment Ltd transform its business in terms of providing a new digital storage and retrieval system for all its customers.  The company has ambitious plans for growing its business over the next five years in terms of improving productivity, increasing revenue and providing additional employment and this investment has certainly helped it to start its growth journey.

“DAERA’s investment of £1.1m in the Digital Transformation Flexible Fund ensures that rural businesses such as SJ Henderson Fulfilment Ltd are given greater access opportunities for digital innovation support. I wish SJ Henderson Fulfilment Ltd every success in the future.”

During the site visit Stephen was able to demonstrate how the DTFF funding enabled him to streamline operations in the warehouse and explained how he is supporting other local companies to take advantage of the unique position Northern Ireland holds in the fulfilment landscape.

He said: “Without the support of DTFF we would not have been in the position to implement this technology into our operations. Having now completed the project it has allowed us to run shoulder to shoulder with companies that are three, four, five times the size of ourselves in the mainland or overseas.

“Quite often it’s the case that these clients don’t have product dimensions or weights or they’re not accurate, and so whenever the stock lands here, we have to get measuring tapes out and scales out and measure these units individually. And it’s quite tedious. It’s not 100% accurate, because using measuring tapes, and with this, this technology ensures accuracy to a 100th of a millimetre and the right down to the last gram as well, in an instant. So as soon as you scan the item you get the three dimensions and your weight in real time, and that also then translates it into a spreadsheet which we can upload to our system. Within minutes, it’s already live on our system, ready for shipping.

“The DTFF funding has opened my eyes to the automation solutions that are out there, which I believe are required for businesses like ourselves to take out the mundane tasks and enable us to offer higher paid, higher skilled jobs.”

For more information on the Digital Transformation Flexible Fund or to register your expression of interest for call five opening in July go to dtff.co.uk

Coimisiún na Meán awards the Central Bank of Ireland with first Trusted Flagger Status in Ireland

Coimisiún na Meán, has announced the decision to grant Trusted Flagger status to the Central Bank of Ireland. Under the Digital Services Act (DSA), Coimisiún na Meán as the Digital Services Coordinator in Ireland has the power to award Trusted Flagger status to entities established in Ireland who meet certain conditions.

Trusted Flaggers are empowered to identify, detect and notify illegal content within their area of expertise to online platforms. Providers of online platforms are then legally obliged to ensure that notices of the presence of illegal content, reported by Trusted Flaggers are given priority and decided upon without undue delay.

Speaking about the announcement, Digital Services Commissioner, John Evans said: “Coimisiún na Meán is committed to ensuring a media landscape that consumers can trust, and where they are protected from exploitation and fraud. We recognise that financial scams and fraud are a concern to the Irish public, and we welcome the Central Bank of Ireland’s expertise in this area. By granting the Central Bank of Ireland Trusted Flagger Status, we are legally obliging online platforms to ensure that any illegal online content reported by the Central Bank of Ireland, such as financial scams and fraud are prioritised by the platform and dealt with in a timely manner.”

“The Trusted Flagger status is a new statutory mechanism that offers empowerment for organisations by placing obligations on the platforms to give priority to Trusted Flagger notifications. Entities awarded Trusted Flagger status are recognised as such across the EU. Trusted Flaggers will also feed into Coimisiún na Meán’s identification of trends and issues via annual reports which will be instrumental in establishing an informed, evidence-based approach to our platform supervisory activities.”

Meanwhile, Gabriel Makhlouf, Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, said: “The Central Bank of Ireland is delighted to be the first organisation in the country to be granted Trusted Flagger Status by Coimisiún na Meán. This accreditation marks another milestone in the Bank’s commitment to protecting consumers and strengthens our efforts to disrupt the activities of unauthorised providers of regulated financial services. We look forward to continuing our work to strengthen the framework of consumer protection in Ireland through this new status.”

Under Article 22 of the DSA, Trusted Flagger status can be granted to entities who meet the following conditions:

• It has particular expertise and competence for the purposes of detecting, identifying and notifying illegal content;

• It is independent from any provider of online platforms;

• It carries out its activities for the purposes of submitting notices diligently, accurately and objectively.

The Central Bank of Ireland have been granted the Trusted Flagger status for three years, from 2 April 2025 to 2 April 2028. Their designated area of expertise is financial scams and fraud, including the provision and/or offer of financial services without authorisation. Upon the expiry of the accreditation period the Trusted Flagger status is reassessed and, where appropriate, re-granted.

Further information on the role of Trusted Flaggers and the obligations of online platforms in respect of notices issued by Trusted Flaggers can be found on our dedicated Trusted Flaggers page on the website.