UK’s new “Online Security Bill” gives UK communications authority Ofcom more power and opportunity to prosecute IT managers, it writes Zdnet.
The new law, presented to Parliament on Thursday, is aimed at social media and media platforms to protect users from harmful content such as disinformation and online abuse.
The bill gives Ofcom the power to take legal action against managers at technology companies if they don’t follow orders from Ofcom, and Ofcom is empowered to assess whether companies implement their security systems online.
Managers can also be sued if it turns out that they are not telling the truth, hiding or destroying evidence or providing false information in conversations with Ofcom or preventing communications authorities from doing their job when they visit company offices.
Tightening for social media
The bill would also require social media, search engines and other apps that allow users to upload their own content to take various measures to protect children, deal with illegal activity, and follow the terms of the media itself. Websites that have content such as pornography or the like should ensure that they have a system in place that checks age and blocks those who have not verified their identity on the platform.
Advertising that could be considered dishonest or fraudulent is also covered by the UK bill. It states that deceptive ads should be removed as soon as platforms become aware of them, and social media should, if the law is passed, also moderate “legal but harmful content”.
