The Government’s long-awaited proposals for new internet safety laws have reached a pivotal new milestone as they are introduced into Parliament.
The Online Safety Bill has been in progress for around five years and will see Ofcom become the new regulator for the sector.
This will give the regulator new powers to fine companies and block access to sites that fail to comply with the new rules.
The Online Safety Bill is being introduced to Parliament.
This is the next step towards it becoming law and giving Ofcom powers to help people to lead a safer life online.
➡️ https://t.co/SjqNqFR6Bt pic.twitter.com/bjxIjFMtBH
— Ofcom (@Ofcom) March 17, 2022
‘Legal but harmful’ content
Pivotally, the Bill entails a new approach to so-called ‘legal but harmful’ content.
This comprises of material that is not itself illegal but could cause harm to users who encounter it.
Under the updated Bill, the biggest social media platforms must carry out risk assessments on the types of harms that could appear on their service. They must also stipulate how they plan to address this.
The Government has said that news content will be exempt from regulations as part of efforts to protect free speech.
The changes come after MPs and campaigners warned that the initial proposals failed to offer the adequate user protection.
“Left to mark their own homework”
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: “The internet has transformed our lives for the better. It’s connected us and empowered us.
“But on the other side, tech firms haven’t been held to account when harm, abuse and criminal behaviour have run riot on their platforms.
“Instead they have been left to mark their own homework. We don’t give it a second’s thought when we buckle our seat belts to protect ourselves when driving. Given all the risks online, it’s only sensible we ensure similar basic protections for the digital age.
“If we fail to act, we risk sacrificing the wellbeing and innocence of countless generations of children to the power of unchecked algorithms.”
London charities react to the Bill
Some London-based charities argue that the Bill does not go far enough, especially when it comes to protecting women from crimes such as cyberflashing.
Andrea Simon, Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, said:
“If the government is seriouwomens about addressing violence against women and girls, including its online dimensions, it must name violence against women as a priority harm on the face of the Online Safety Bill.
“This will set the expectation that tech companies must identify, address and prevent the myriad forms of online abuse that women experience disproportionately.
“Only then will this legislation be a milestone for women and girls’ safety and freedom online.”
