UK to make social media platforms responsible for harmful content

 

FILE PHOTO: The Twitter and Facebook logo along with binary cyber codes are seen in this illustration taken November 26, 2019. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

 

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said it would make social media companies such as Facebook, Twitter and Snap responsible for blocking or removing harmful content on their platforms.

 

A duty of care will be imposed to ensure all companies had systems in place to react to concerns over harmful content and improve the safety for their users, the government said.

 

“As the internet continues to grow and transform our lives it is essential that we get the balance right between a thriving, open and vibrant virtual world, and one in which users are protected from harm,” Digital Minister Nicky Morgan and Interior Minister Priti Patel said in a joint statement.

 

The duty of care will apply to platforms on which user-generated content is shared, for example through comments, forums or video sharing, it said on Wednesday in its response to a consultation.

 

Policy will be developed to offer a higher level of protection for children than adults, the government said.

 

It said it was minded to make broadcast and telecoms regulator Ofcom responsible for policing the new regime.

 

Britain proposed new online safety laws last year that it said would be the toughest in the world.

 

Former Prime Minister Theresa May said at the time she would put a legal “duty of care on internet companies to keep users safe online”. Companies would face big fines, with bosses also held personally accountable, the government said then.

 

Governments globally are wrestling over how to better control content on social media platforms, often blamed for encouraging abuse, the spread of online pornography and for influencing or manipulating voters.

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2020-02-12

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I’m no fan of this government but this is a huge step in the right direction.

It will happen - they will be regulated and controlled - like it or not.

All this 'private club' rubbish will not stand in the way of Govt regulating them.

About time in my opinion.

Zuckerberg soon to be sued by UK authorities?

FB is full of harmful and ungood material!

 

Well

looking at it from a practical angle,

will hardly bring significant changes to anything

as long as the social media do not go way beyond the UK gutter and toilet press

 

What about harmful content in a private group?

How can that be regulated if only the members of that group can access the content?

 

More censorship from the uk deciding what you can say 

It all comes down to definition doesn't it?

What is considered harmful to government for instance could be just plain criticism.

All for protecting kids, but we need to see the detail before celebrating like some above. 

once again ---- shoot the messenger! ----.

It would be better to go after the originators of the "bad" content, be it individuals or nowadays many times the political parties, with their lies and dirt on the opposition.

Edited February 13, 20206 yr by ardsong
extended comments

A priority should be to introduce a red 'alarm' button to report verbal abuse, bullying, suspected grooming, crime and scams etc. in Facebook and Messenger's private messaging system. Any 'red alarm'  reports should be monitored closely 24/7 and given a priority response to trace the perpetrators.

I guess this doesn't apply to all the fear mongering BS that certain "newspapers" print.

The same government who a few weeks ago, rated the fans (and the club) of German 2nd league - club FC St.Pauli, a close proximity to a terrorsit organisation?

That government?

Can't wait to see, what they deem harmful!

The question here, is who decides what constitutes "harmful"....?

 

Disturbing, to say the very least. 

18 hours ago, Chomper Higgot said:

I’m no fan of this government but this is a huge step in the right direction.

Sure, but it would work better on an European agreement, not only by single countries. 

Does this mean no more of those stupid dogs doing tricks videos?