Greater rights to delete past social media posts

Social media firms will be required to delete information on children and adults when asked under new laws to give people a greater “right to be forgotten” online.

The Data Protection Bill will make it simpler for people to control how companies use their personal details, with extra powers for the information watchdog to issue fines up to £17 million.

The powers will mean people can ask social media platforms to delete information they posted in their childhood.

It also requires people to give explicit consent for their information to be collected online, rather than firms relying on pre-selected tick boxes.

The legislation will also make it easier and free for individuals to require an organisation reveal the data it holds on them.

The reform will mean that data protection laws in Britain and the EU become aligned.

The bill will be introduced in Parliament after the summer break in September.