The UK Online Safety Bill
This bill has been in the making for several years and its publication and passing in Parliament keeps being pushed back, as every week, another new area needs to be addressed. It is now going before the House of Lords for final approval.
Generally, the bill places a duty of care on all firms to protect adult users from illegal content such as child sexual abuse images, revenge pornography, threats to kill, selling firearms and terrorist material. Tech platforms have to proactively prevent that material from reaching users. Firms must also ensure that any content that could be accessed by children but is not illegal, such as content related to self-harm, is age-appropriate.
It aims to PROTECT CHILDREN – new procedures for registering for accounts re age etc. will be enforced.
Under the terms of the act, Ofcom has the power to fine companies up to £18m or 10% of worldwide turnover (that would be more than $10bn in the case of Mark Zuckerberg’s Meta), or even to block sites in extreme cases.
However, LEGAL, BUT HARMFUL content could still be allowed. However, if the platforms say they don’t allow it and it appears (i.e. eating disorders, some forms of racist or sexist abuse) then they could face criminal prosecution.
So banned: downblousing, upskirting, deepfakes, cyberflashing.
Reactive regulation is illustrated by this Bill. Trying to play catch up all the time.
These are some of the stories that have been important behind its implementation
In theory Online Tech giants could go to jail – but one wonders if that could actually happen.
As you can see, amendments come thick and fast as the instances of online harm and safety come to light.
As users of social media and probably occasional audiences for Reality TV, you have probably been aware of this latest case of Revenge Porn.
Georgia Harrison documentary – revenge porn is in the bill
This is Georgia talking about the UK Online Safety Bill and why it is necessary.