UK unveils ambitious plan to penalize Facebook and Google for harmful online content

UK regulators unveiled on Sunday a flagship proposal to penalize Facebook, Google and other technology giants that do not stop the dissemination of harmful content online, which is a major new regulatory threat for a sector that has long Dodged responsibility for what its users say or share.

This aggressive new plan – developed by leading consumer protection authorities in the UK and endorsed by Prime Minister Theresa May – targets a wide range of web content including child exploitation, false news, terrorist activity and extreme violence. If approved by Parliament, UK watchdogs would have unprecedented powers to impose fines and other penalties if social media sites do not quickly remove the most derisory publications, photos and videos from the UK. the public view.

Senior UK officials have said their project would represent "leading legislation that would make the UK the safest place in the world for online connection." This document suggests that the leaders of large technology companies may be directly responsible for their police actions. He even asks legislators to question whether regulators should have the ability to instruct Internet service providers and others to limit access to some of the most damaging content. of the Web.

According to experts, the idea could potentially limit the scope of sites such as 8chan, an anonymous bulletin board where graphics and violent content are multiplying and which play an important role in the dissemination of images of the attack on the mosque. New Zealand last month.

[8chan looks like a terrorist recruiting site after the New Zealand shootings. Should the government treat it like one?]

"The Internet can be a great way to connect people around the world – but for too long, these companies have not done enough to protect users, especially children and young people, from harmful content," he said. May said in a statement.

For Silicon Valley, UK rules could be the most severe regulatory repercussion the technology industry is facing on a global scale for not cleaning up a host of troubling content online . The sector's persistent struggles were sharply highlighted last month, after videos of the deadly shootings in Christchurch, New Zealand, proliferated online, despite increased Facebook, Google and Twitter investment in more human and more powerful tools to stop these publications. to become viral.

The March shootout prompted Australia to adopt its own law on content removal. She encouraged others in Europe to consider similar new rules for the technology industry. The wave of global activity contrasts sharply with that of the United States, where a decades-old federal law protects social media companies from liability for content posted by their users. US lawmakers have also been reluctant to regulate online speech, fearing that it will violate the first amendment.

"The era of self-regulation of online businesses is over," said Sunday British Digital Secretary Jeremy Wright.

In response, Facebook has highlighted its recent investments to better spot and remove harmful content, adding that the UK's proposal "should protect society while supporting innovation, the digital economy and freedom." d & # 39; expression. " Twitter said it would cooperate with the government's "Finding an Appropriate Balance Between User Security and the Open and Free Nature of the Internet." Google declined to comment.

[Facebook says it will start removing posts that may lead to violence]

The UK's new call for regulation reflects Silicon Valley's growing skepticism in response to a slew of recent controversies, including Facebook's role in the country's 2016 referendum to leave the country. European Union. British lawmakers learned after the vote that an organization created by Brexit supporters seemed to have links with Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm that had mishandled Facebook's data on 87 million users so to help clients better refine their political messages.

The revelation triggered an extensive investigation in Parliament, during which lawmakers unsuccessfully sought the testimony of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg. As a result of these events, many have called for a strict new regulation of the social networking giant and its peers.

"It is urgent that this new regulator be put in place as soon as possible," said Damian Collins, Chair of the House of Commons Committee on Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. He added that the panel would hold hearings on the government's proposal in the coming weeks.

For now, the UK plan comes in the form of a white paper that will result in new legislation. The first details released on Sunday suggested that legislators set up a new independent regulator to ensure that companies "take responsibility for the safety of their users." This monitoring – through a new agency or part of an existing agency – would be funded by technology companies, potentially via a new tax.

The agency's mandate would be broad ranging from law enforcement to large social media platforms such as Facebook to forums or small website comment sites. Much of his work would be on content that could harm children or compromise national security. But regulators could ultimately play a role in examining more damage online, said the UK, including content "that may not be illegal but that is nevertheless extremely detrimental to individuals or that threatens our way of life in the UK ". potential issues of concern, including hate speech, coercive behavior, and the exposure of minors to illegal content such as dating apps for people over 18.

Many details, such as the definition of harmful content and the length of time companies have to shoot it, have not yet been defined. UK regulators have also said they would encourage technology companies to be more transparent to users about the content they withdraw and why.

"Despite our repeated calls for action, damaging and illegal content, including child abuse and terrorism – are still too easily available online," said Sajid Javid, secretary of the board. State of Defense of the United Kingdom. their act once and for all. "