UK plans big fines for online companies over harmful content
4 years ago

UK plans big fines for online companies over harmful content

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Social media and other internet companies face big fines in Britain if they don't remove and limit the spread of harmful material such as child sexual abuse or terrorist content and protect users on their platforms, officials said Tuesday. Under legislative proposals that the U.K. government plans to launch next year, tech companies that let people post their own material or talk to others online could be fined up to 18 million pounds or 10% of their annual global revenue, whichever is higher, for not complying with the rules. The proposals, contained in the U.K. government's Online Safety Bill, will have extra provisions for the biggest social media companies with “high-risk features," expected to include Facebook, TikTok, Instagram and Twitter. The U.K. government is also reserving the right to impose criminal sanctions on senior executives, with powers it could bring into force through additional legislation if companies don't take the new rules seriously - for example by not responding swiftly to information requests from regulators.

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History of this topic

What are the new laws and policies coming into effect in 2025?
1 week ago

What are the new laws and policies coming into effect in 2025?

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Here’s a look at some of the major new laws we can expect to see …

Australian-style social media ban for under-16s is unlikely, says technology secretary
1 week ago

Australian-style social media ban for under-16s is unlikely, says technology secretary

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy An Australian-style social media ban for under-16s is highly unlikely, the …

What is Australia’s Online Safety Amendment about? | Explained
2 weeks ago

What is Australia’s Online Safety Amendment about? | Explained

The Hindu  

The story so far: Australia’s House of Representatives recently passed the “Online Safety Amendment Bill, 2024” which imposes obligation on certain social media platforms to take reasonable steps to prevent children under 16 years of age from having an account. Children are usually unable to create social media accounts under the age of 13 years, a restriction imposed by global …

Social media ban: How will it work and could it happen elsewhere?
1 month, 1 week ago

Social media ban: How will it work and could it happen elsewhere?

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The ruling was passed by the country’s parliament this week and described by prime minister Anthony Albanese …

Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s
1 month, 1 week ago

Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s

CNN  

Brisbane, Australia CNN — Australia’s parliament has passed a world-first law banning social media for children under 16, putting tech companies on notice to tighten security before a cut-off date that’s yet to be set. Under the new law, tech companies must take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-age users from accessing social media services or face fines of nearly 50 …

Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s
1 month, 1 week ago

Tech companies put on notice as Australia passes world-first social media ban for under-16s

CNN  

Brisbane, Australia CNN — Australia’s parliament has passed a world-first law banning social media for children under 16, putting tech companies on notice to tighten security before a cut-off date that’s yet to be set. Under the new law, tech companies must take “reasonable steps” to prevent under-age users from accessing social media services or face fines of nearly 50 …

Online grooming crimes reach record levels, NSPCC says
2 months, 1 week ago

Online grooming crimes reach record levels, NSPCC says

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Online grooming crimes have reached record levels in the UK, with more than …

New, strengthened Online Safety Act needed to protect children, charity says
2 months, 2 weeks ago

New, strengthened Online Safety Act needed to protect children, charity says

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Almost seven years after Molly’s death, we urgently need ministers …

Online safety laws ‘pose substantial risks to our economy’
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Online safety laws ‘pose substantial risks to our economy’

The Telegraph  

Looming online safety laws pose “substantial risks” to the economy, ministers have been warned, amid fears the new red tape will smother small tech businesses. Sir David Davis, a former Cabinet minister, has called for a new review of forthcoming tech regulation, which is designed to protect children from harmful online content. In a letter to Peter Kyle, the secretary …

How social media will change under Ofcom rules
2 months, 3 weeks ago

How social media will change under Ofcom rules

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Ofcom has revealed when social media companies operating in the UK will need …

Technology Secretary says firms must ‘bake’ safety at centre of new products
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Technology Secretary says firms must ‘bake’ safety at centre of new products

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Peter Kyle said Ofcom would be telling the US-based gaming …

Technology Secretary asks Ofcom for online safety response to summer riots
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Technology Secretary asks Ofcom for online safety response to summer riots

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The Technology Secretary …

Speed up laws to prevent children seeing harmful content online, Technology Secretary tells Ofcom
2 months, 3 weeks ago

Speed up laws to prevent children seeing harmful content online, Technology Secretary tells Ofcom

The Telegraph  

New laws to protect children from harmful online content such as suicide, self-harm and pornography must be introduced faster, the Technology Secretary has told Ofcom. In a letter to the head of the online regulator, Peter Kyle said it was “incredibly important” to introduce measures in the Online Safety Act “as soon as possible” amid concerns that they will not …

Government strengthens Online Safety Act to crack down on revenge porn
3 months, 3 weeks ago

Government strengthens Online Safety Act to crack down on revenge porn

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The sharing of revenge porn is to be classified as the …

Ofcom hiring more online safety staff amid calls to tackle misinformation
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Ofcom hiring more online safety staff amid calls to tackle misinformation

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Media regulator Ofcom is ramping …

Musk’s Riot Provocations Prompt UK to Seek Tougher Online Rules
5 months ago

Musk’s Riot Provocations Prompt UK to Seek Tougher Online Rules

Live Mint  

Keir Starmer called for a “mature conversation” with social media companies to limit malicious content that’s stoked days of rioting in the UK. On Monday, Kyle’s office said he met with executives from Meta Platforms Inc., Alphabet Inc.’s Google, TikTok and X to discuss “the spread of hateful misinformation and incitement.” The next day, Musk compared the UK to the …

As Elon Musk clashes with Starmer on X: Could Twitter be banned in the UK?
5 months ago

As Elon Musk clashes with Starmer on X: Could Twitter be banned in the UK?

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. He later reposted this comment, alongside several memes which depict …

Those stoking violence online could face jail, Keir Starmer says
5 months ago

Those stoking violence online could face jail, Keir Starmer says

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} Anyone whipping up …

Canada Introduces Bill To Force Social Media Companies To Remove 'Harmful Post' Within 24 Hours
9 months, 4 weeks ago

Canada Introduces Bill To Force Social Media Companies To Remove 'Harmful Post' Within 24 Hours

Live Law  

Canada has recently proposed an Online Safety Act to combat a range of harmful online content. The draft legislation, introduced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government, aims to hold tech platforms accountable for swiftly removing content that falls under seven specified categories of harm. Under the proposed law, tech companies would be obligated to remove harmful content within 24 …

Tech giants ‘could severely disable UK spooks from stopping online harms’
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Tech giants ‘could severely disable UK spooks from stopping online harms’

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Silicon Valley tech giants’ actions could “severely disable” UK spooks from …

The European Union expands digital crackdown on toxic content, dodgy goods to all online platforms
10 months, 3 weeks ago

The European Union expands digital crackdown on toxic content, dodgy goods to all online platforms

Associated Press  

LONDON — The European Union is expanding its strict digital rulebook on Saturday to almost all online platforms in the bloc, in the next phase of its crackdown on toxic social media content and dodgy ecommerce products that began last year by targeting the most popular services. The EU’s trailblazing Digital Services Act has already kicked in for nearly two …

UK Government Considers Social Media Restrictions for Under-16s
1 year ago

UK Government Considers Social Media Restrictions for Under-16s

Deccan Chronicle  

Hyderabad: The UK government, led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, is contemplating potential restrictions on social media access for teenagers below the age of 16 in a bid to safeguard them from online harm. Despite the implementation of the Online Safety Act, mandating social media platforms to shield minors from harmful content or face fines up to 10% of global …

Deepfake menace: Govt warns of stern action, meets social media platforms
1 year, 1 month ago

Deepfake menace: Govt warns of stern action, meets social media platforms

Live Mint  

To tackle the deepfake issue, a review meeting between the government and the social media platforms was held on Tuesday, said a report by PTI citing sources. According to the report, some social media platforms have complied and those who are “slow” in doing so have been given additional time. In Tuesday's meeting, the government has made it clear that …

Social media platforms must ‘act swiftly to combat antisemitism’
1 year, 2 months ago

Social media platforms must ‘act swiftly to combat antisemitism’

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Social media platforms must take swift action to remove illegal and …

UK’s new online safety law adds to crackdown on Big Tech companies
1 year, 3 months ago

UK’s new online safety law adds to crackdown on Big Tech companies

Associated Press  

LONDON — British lawmakers have approved an ambitious but controversial new internet safety law with wide-ranging powers to crack down on digital and social media companies like TikTok, Google, and Facebook and Instagram parent Meta. The new law requires social media platforms to take down illegal content, including child sexual abuse, hate speech and terrorism, revenge porn and posts promoting …

UK's new online safety law adds to crackdown on Big Tech companies
1 year, 3 months ago

UK's new online safety law adds to crackdown on Big Tech companies

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy British lawmakers have approved an …

Social media firms told to block under-13s or face ‘humongous fines’
1 year, 4 months ago

Social media firms told to block under-13s or face ‘humongous fines’

The Telegraph  

Social media firms must deactivate underaged children’s accounts or risk “humongous” fines, the Technology Secretary has warned. “Because otherwise the mental toll and the ramifications for these young people is unimaginable and we’re just storing up a bigger problem for tomorrow in terms of the long-term impact that we are going to face.” Ms Donelan said the bill would “potentially …

Europe is cracking down on Big Tech. This is what will change when you sign on
1 year, 4 months ago

Europe is cracking down on Big Tech. This is what will change when you sign on

Associated Press  

LONDON — Starting Friday, Europeans will see their online life change. Turning off recommender systems also means the video-sharing platform’s “Following” and “Friends” feeds will show posts from accounts users follow in chronological order. Those on Snapchat “can opt out of a personalised content experience.” Algorithmic recommendation systems based on user profiles have been blamed for creating so-called filter bubbles …

Europe is cracking down on Big Tech. This is what will change when you sign on
1 year, 4 months ago

Europe is cracking down on Big Tech. This is what will change when you sign on

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Those on Snapchat “can opt …

Europe’s Digital Services Act to impact Google, Facebook, TikTok. Here’s how
1 year, 4 months ago

Europe’s Digital Services Act to impact Google, Facebook, TikTok. Here’s how

Live Mint  

Google, Facebook, TikTok, Amazon, Instagram, Snapchat and other major tech companies operating in Europe are confronting an extensive effort to clean up online content, AP reported. Platforms have begun implementing new methods for European users to report illegal online content and problematic products, which companies will be obligated to promptly and objectively remove. Meta’s president for global affairs Nick Clegg …

Europe's sweeping rules for tech giants are about to kick in. Here's how they work
1 year, 4 months ago

Europe's sweeping rules for tech giants are about to kick in. Here's how they work

The Hindu  

Google, Facebook, TikTok and other Big Tech companies operating in Europe are facing one of the most far-reaching efforts to clean up what people encounter online. TikTok made similar changes, stopping users aged 13 to 17 from getting personalised ads “based on their activities on or off TikTok.” Zalando, a German online fashion retailer, has filed a legal challenge over …

Europe’s sweeping rules for tech giants have kicked in. Here’s how they work
1 year, 4 months ago

Europe’s sweeping rules for tech giants have kicked in. Here’s how they work

Associated Press  

LONDON — Google, Facebook, TikTok and other Big Tech companies operating in Europe must comply with one of the most far-reaching efforts to clean up what people see online. The DSA “will have a significant impact on the experiences Europeans have when they open their phones or fire up their laptops,” Nick Clegg, Meta’s president for global affairs, said in …

Britain tightens planned tech law to stop children viewing adult content
1 year, 6 months ago

Britain tightens planned tech law to stop children viewing adult content

The Hindu  

Britain said on Friday it had tightened protections in its Online Safety Bill that will prevent children from viewing pornography in an update to long-delayed legislation that is being closely watched by the tech industry. Britain, like the European Union and other countries, has been grappling over how to protect social media users, and in particular children, from harmful content …

Big Tech crackdown looms as EU, UK ready new rules
1 year, 8 months ago

Big Tech crackdown looms as EU, UK ready new rules

Associated Press  

LONDON — TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, Google, and Amazon are facing rising pressure from European authorities as London and Brussels advanced new rules Tuesday to curb the power of digital companies. They’re among those on a list of the 19 biggest online platforms and search engines that the European Union’s executive arm said must meet extra obligations for cleaning up illegal …

Online platforms must take down PIB-flagged ‘fake news’
1 year, 9 months ago

Online platforms must take down PIB-flagged ‘fake news’

The Hindu  

Social media platforms and other intermediaries on the Internet are now required to make sure that “fake news” articles about the Union Government, which have been declared as such by the Press Information Bureau, are taken down from their platforms when they are alerted to such posts. Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Rajeev Chandrasekhar outlined a defence …

Reviewing ‘safe harbour’ protections under Digital India bill: MoS Chandrasekhar
1 year, 10 months ago

Reviewing ‘safe harbour’ protections under Digital India bill: MoS Chandrasekhar

Hindustan Times  

The government is reconsidering “safe harbour” protections for social media companies as it looks to classify them based on the functions they perform, the junior minister for electronics and technology said on Thursday during a consultation meeting for the much-awaited Digital India bill. “There is a need for a different set of rules for each class of intermediaries,” Union minister …

Social media giants failing to tackle misogyny could face huge fines under new law
1 year, 11 months ago

Social media giants failing to tackle misogyny could face huge fines under new law

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Social media giants could face huge fines for failing to …

EU official pushes Musk for Twitter’s progress on new rules
1 year, 11 months ago

EU official pushes Musk for Twitter’s progress on new rules

Associated Press  

LONDON — A top European Union official told Elon Musk that Twitter needs to make progress in preparing for a new law aimed at curbing hate speech, misinformation and other harmful content, adding pressure on the company to ensure it complies. EU Commissioner Thierry Breton and Musk held a video call on Tuesday to assess Twitter’s readiness for Europe’s new …

Could the UK’s Online Safety Bill kill off Twitter?
1 year, 11 months ago

Could the UK’s Online Safety Bill kill off Twitter?

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy We now …

UK waters down internet rules plan after free speech outcry
2 years, 1 month ago

UK waters down internet rules plan after free speech outcry

Associated Press  

LONDON — The British government has abandoned a plan to force tech firms to remove internet content that is harmful but legal, after the proposal drew strong criticism from lawmakers and civil liberties groups. Critics had expressed concern that a requirement for the biggest platforms to remove “legal but harmful” content could lead to censorship and undermine free speech. The …

UK waters down online restrictions after free speech outcry
2 years, 1 month ago

UK waters down online restrictions after free speech outcry

The Hindu  

Britain will not force tech giants to remove content that is "legal but harmful" from their platforms after campaigners and lawmakers raised concerns that the move could curtail free speech, the government said on Monday. The government had previously said social media companies could be fined up to 10% of turnover or 18 million pounds if they failed to stamp …

Online Safety Bill to remove ‘legal but harmful’ content measures
2 years, 1 month ago

Online Safety Bill to remove ‘legal but harmful’ content measures

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The Online Safety Bill is to be amended and controversial measures …

Children being coerced into most severe forms of sexual abuse online – report
2 years, 1 month ago

Children being coerced into most severe forms of sexual abuse online – report

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. No matter how disturbing and upsetting these findings are we cannot shy away from the …

New IT rules to put more obligations on social media platforms to act against unlawful content, misinformation: Rajeev Chandrasekhar
2 years, 2 months ago

New IT rules to put more obligations on social media platforms to act against unlawful content, misinformation: Rajeev Chandrasekhar

The Hindu  

IT Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar on October 29 said the latest amendment of IT rules will put more definite due diligence obligations on social media companies to make efforts that no unlawful content or misinformation is posted on their platforms. The government on October 28 notified rules under which it will set up appellate panels to redress grievances that users may …

Molly Russell: How regulated is social media and how could it change?
2 years, 3 months ago

Molly Russell: How regulated is social media and how could it change?

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The inquest into the death of Molly Russell has placed renewed focus on …

Tory leadership hopeful says Online Safety Bill ‘in no fit state to become law’
2 years, 5 months ago

Tory leadership hopeful says Online Safety Bill ‘in no fit state to become law’

The Independent  

Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. We should not be legislating for hurt feelings.” Culture Secretary …

Explained | What are Europe’s new Internet rules and how will they impact big tech?
2 years, 8 months ago

Explained | What are Europe’s new Internet rules and how will they impact big tech?

The Hindu  

The story so far: The European Union member states and the European Parliament on April 23 secured a landmark agreement to tackle harmful content online through the Digital Services Act. The European Commission, the executive arm of the EU, had proposed the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act in December 2020 in order to “protect consumers and their …

European Union reaches landmark deal on hate speech, disinformation
2 years, 8 months ago

European Union reaches landmark deal on hate speech, disinformation

The Hindu  

The European Union reached a landmark deal on April 23 to take aim at hate speech, disinformation and other harmful content online that would force big tech companies to police themselves harder, make it easier for users to flag problems and empower regulators to punish noncompliance with billions in fines. EU officials finally clinched the agreement in principle in the …

EU poised to unveil rules forcing Big Tech to protect users
2 years, 8 months ago

EU poised to unveil rules forcing Big Tech to protect users

LA Times  

European Union officials want Google and other tech companies to step up efforts to curb the spread of illegal content, hate speech and disinformation. The European Union is nearing agreement on a set of new rules aimed at protecting internet users by forcing big tech companies such as Google and Facebook to step up their efforts to curb the spread …

Tech leaders face threat of prison under new UK online bill
2 years, 9 months ago

Tech leaders face threat of prison under new UK online bill

Associated Press  

LONDON — Tech bosses face criminal prosecution if they fail to comply with proposed British rules aimed at ensuring people are safe online, the U.K. government said Thursday as it unveiled the draft legislation in Parliament. The ambitious but controversial online safety bill would give regulators wide-ranging powers to crack down on digital and social media companies like Google, Facebook, …

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