UK Considers Online Safety Act Post Riots
The act, passed in October but not set to be enforced until early next year, allows the government to fine social media companies up to 10% of global turnover if found to be in breach.
Companies would only face a fine if they failed to police illegal content, such as incitations to violence or hate speech. Proposed changes could see Ofcom sanction companies if they allow “legal but harmful” content such as misinformation to flourish.
Britain’s recently-elected Labour government inherited the legislation from the Conservatives, who spent many months tweaking the bill in an attempt to balance the right to free speech with concerns over online harm.
On Friday, pollster YouGov published a survey of more than 2,000 adults, which found two-thirds (66%) believe social media companies should be held responsible for posts inciting criminal behaviour.
A further 70% of respondents said social media companies were not strongly regulated enough, and 71% said they did not do enough to counter misinformation while the riots were ongoing.
Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas Symonds said on Friday that the government would revisit the law’s framework.
“There are aspects of the Online Safety Act that haven’t come into effect yet. We stand ready to make changes if necessary.”
Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, said on Thursday that the Online Safety Act needed to be amended in the wake of the riots.
“I think what the government should do very quickly is check if it is fit for purpose. I think it’s not fit for purpose.“
REUTERS
