The government has passed a controversial new Online Safety Bill (OBS), aimed at making social media firms more responsible for users’ safety on their platforms.
The Online Safety Bill, which comes after years of delay and has recently expanded to include scam advertising, was prompted by calls from campaigners and parents for further regulations.
The legislation will force social media platforms to remove illegal content and protect users, especially children, from ‘legal but harmful’ material – including advertising.
The bill, which Ofcom will largely be responsible for enforcing, will require social media companies to remove illegal content quickly or prevent it from appearing in the first place, including content promoting self-harm.
In addition, the bill will provide greater regulation around advertising on social media and search engines.
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UK Finance chief executive, David Postings, said: “This is particularly important given we know the majority of authorised push payment fraud starts online and that criminals often post fake adverts to try and trick victims.”
The Online Safety Bill is also expected to crack down on content related to selling drugs and weapons, inciting or planning terrorism, sexual exploitation and hate speech.
Yet critics worry that the bill could empower the government to undermine not just the privacy and security of UK residents but internet users worldwide.
Members of the Conservative party have expressed their concerns that the Online Safety Bill is too far-reaching, potentially threatening free speech.
During last year’s Conservative leadership race, trade secretary Kemi Badenoch said the Online Safety Bill is “in no fit state to become law”.
She added that if she were to be successful in her bid to become leader, she would “ensure the bill doesn’t overreach”.
