A Plan drafted by UK’s prominent consumer-protection authority says that any harmful content such as fake news, terrorist activity and extreme violence shall be penalized.
The approval of this plan would help gain watchdogs unprecedented powers to issue fines and other punishments. In such a case, social media sites need to be very careful in identifying posts that are socially harmful.
British officials say that their blueprint would result in making a “world-leading laws” and as such would make the U.K. the safest place in the world to be online.
The proposed document raises a chance that the top executives of major tech companies could be held directly liable for failing to the protocols.
It also asks lawmakers to consider whether regulators should have the ability to order internet service providers.
Theresa May said in a statement said that “The Internet can be brilliant at connecting the world – but the tech giants have not done enough to protect users, especially children and young people, from harmful content.”
In response, Facebook highlighted its recent moves to better spot the harmful content, adding that U.K.’s proposal “should protect society from harm while also support innovation, the digital economy and freedom of speech.” Google declined to comment.