Ireland bans cryptocurrency donations to political parties

Bitcoin, a pioneer in the field of cryptocurrencies since 2009. REUTERS - DADO RUVIC

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To avoid foreign interference, Irish political parties will no longer be eligible for cryptocurrency donations.

The objective is to prevent Russian cyber-interference, subtle in Ireland but worrying in recent years, in particular on its public health services which were hacked in 2021. The country will therefore create a new electoral commission to regulate the next campaigns. .

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With our correspondent in Dublin

,

All political parties will have to provide accurate statements of accounts, as is already the international norm.

So no more donations in

, because they are too difficult to trace.

As for foreign donations, they will be subject to strict control.

Parties will also have to be more transparent about their real estate assets.

Some have been questioning for years the number of properties owned by

, for example.

Assessing the threat of fake news

There will also be more protection against fake news campaigns on social media, which could negatively influence elections.

An online committee will therefore be created with experts who can assess this threat.

Parties will also need to clearly state how ads are funded and to whom they are directed.

The moves come amid multiple, but unsubstantiated, reports that some Russian oligarchs have started using cryptocurrencies to evade

.

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