May to give social media users right to delete profiles

FACEBOOK users will be given a legal right to wipe clean all photos, messages and information that they put online before turning 18 under a manifesto pledge announced by Theresa May.

The Prime Minister will announce plans for new legislation amid concerns that people’s career prospects are being damaged by comments they made as teenagers.

Social media companies will also face significant fines if they fail to stop people from “unintentionally” coming across pornography, hate speeches and other harmful material.

They will also be legally obliged to take down “inappropriate, bullying, harmful or illegal content” that is flagged to them by users or fines.

The Tories will also unveil powers to punish the social media industry with a multi-million-pound fines if it fails to fulfil its responsibilities to protect users.

It comes after criticism of Facebook, Youtube and other social media websites for hosting videos of hate clerics and even child abuse online.

The policy represents a significant shift for the Conservatives, who have previously worked with companies in the hope that they will voluntarily make the changes. Mrs May said: “The internet has brought a wealth of opportunity, but also significant new risks which have evolved faster than society’s response to them.

“We want social media companies to do more to help redress the balance and will take action to make sure they do.”

The report comes after it emerged that employers are using social media websites to screen job applicants.

According to one survey of human resources professionals, a third of employers have rejected job applicants after checking their social media profiles.

Tony Blair, the former Labour prime minister, has admitted that he would have had no chance of leading the country if social media had existed when he was younger.

Under the new law, social media users will be entitled to delete their entire profiles from before the age of 18.

Last month Google admitted a blind spot around extremist content and revealed that it was teaching its computer systems to understand which videos are offensive. u Theresa May has refused to rule out a new “death tax” to fund social care as she said her party will not “duck tough decisions” if re-elected.