UK Government to Introduce Harmful Content Fines For Tech Companies

14th May 2021 Luke Smith

The UK Government is set to implement fines for tech companies who fail to deal with harmful content on their platforms. The new internet laws are designed to improve child safety online, as well as combat racism and other forms of abuse.

In line with the new bill, Ofcom, the online regulator, will be able to fine tech companies who breach the rules up to £18m or 10% of their annual turnover, whichever is higher.

It will also have the power to block access to sites which fail to deal with harmful content, and press criminal charges against senior managers. The new bill is also combating the rise in fraudulent user-generated content, such as romance scams, fake investment opportunities and fraud.

New duty of care rules require tech companies to take action not only against dangerous content, but also against harmful content, such as information about suicide and self-harm

Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden told Sky News: “The ground-breaking laws will usher in a new age of accountability for tech and bring fairness and accountability to the online world.

“We will protect children on the internet, crack down on racist abuse on social media and through new measures to safeguard our liberties, create a truly democratic digital age.”