U.K. considers creating a government watchdog to regulate social media companies like Facebook and Twitter if they fail to block content like terrorist propaganda or images of child abuse.
FILE - In this April 18, 2017 file photo, conference workers speak in front of a demo booth at Facebook's annual F8 developer conference, in San Jose, Calif. The U.K. for the first time on Monday April 8, 2019, proposed direct regulation of social media companies, with senior executives potentially facing fines if they fail to block damaging content such as terrorist propaganda or images of child abuse.
The British plans would create a statutory “duty of care” for social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter to protect people who use their sites. The plan, which includes an independent regulator funded by a levy on internet companies, will be open for public comment for three months before the government publishes draft legislation.
Britain will consider imposing financial penalties similar to those in the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation, which permit fines of up to 4% of a company’s annual worldwide revenue, Wright said. In extreme cases, the government may also seek the power to fine individual company directors and prevent companies from operating in the U.K.
After the March 15 mosque shootings that killed 50 and wounded of 50 more, New Zealand’s Privacy Commissioner wants his country to follow Australia’s lead. British Home Secretary Sajid Javid, whose department collaborated on the U.K. proposal unveiled Monday, criticized tech firms for failing to act despite repeated calls for action against harmful content.Critics say the end result could be that Google and Facebook end up becoming the web’s censors. Others suggested the rules could stifle innovation and strengthen the dominance of technology giants because smaller firms won’t have the money to comply with such regulation.
“Issuing large fines and hitting companies with bigger legal threats is taking a 20th century bullwhip approach to a problem that requires a nuanced solution,” he said. “It needs machine learning tools to manage the 21st century problems of the internet, combined with the courage and foresight to establish independent frameworks that preserve the freedoms societies enjoy in the physical world, as well as the online one.
इंडिया ताज़ा खबर, इंडिया मुख्य बातें
Similar News:आप इससे मिलती-जुलती खबरें भी पढ़ सकते हैं जिन्हें हमने अन्य समाचार स्रोतों से एकत्र किया है।
Her Majesty's secret service: Prince William studies spiesLONDON (AP) — Prince William, spy extraordinaire?
और पढो »
The Latest: UK lawmaker quits Tory party after Brexit votesLONDON (AP) — The Latest on Britain's exit from the European Union (all times local): 10:20 p.m. U.K. Conservative Party legislator Nick Boles says he is quitting the party after one...
और पढो »
The Latest: EU official floats idea of 1-year Brexit delayLONDON (AP) — The Latest on Brexit (all times local): 9:45 a.m. European Council President Donald Tusk has urged European Union member states to offer the U.K. a flexible extension of...
और पढो »
Amal Clooney appointed UK envoy on media freedomInternational human rights lawyer Amal Clooney has been appointed as Britain's Special Envoy on Media Freedom.
और पढो »
UK plans social media watchdog to battle harmful content'The era of social media firms regulating themselves is over' UK PM Theresa May, on proposed online safety laws meant to protect users from harmful content
और पढो »
U.K. considers direct regulation of social media companiesUK has proposed directly regulating social media companies for the first time, with senior executives potentially facing fines if they fail to block damaging content such as terrorist propaganda or images of child abuse.
और पढो »
London judge dismisses jury in landmark Barclays Qatar caseA London jury has been discharged in a landmark fraud trial of four former Barcl...
और पढो »
Autonomous vehicle tests underway in LondonThe trials will take place in the boroughs of Croydon and Bromley.
और पढो »