Tougher rules planned for social media election videos

IMAGES and videos shared on social media as part of election campaigns could have to carry declarations stating who is behind them under plans being drawn up by the Government.

A consultation launched today by the Cabinet Office states that ministers are considering updating the country’s election laws in order to increase the transparency of online campaigning.

Currently, hard-copy pamphlets and newsletters from candidates and other groups during a campaign must include an “imprint” disclosing the name of the person responsible for producing the material.

Britain’s standards watchdog and the Electoral Commission, the election regulator, have both called for the rules to be extended to digital campaigning, including both content shared on social media and paid advertising.

A new report by the Commons digital and culture committee supports their call.

The Cabinet Office said its consultation “will review whether the requirement to have imprints, which is added to election material to show who is responsible for producing it, should be extended to digital communications”.

“This would also have the benefit of increasing transparency in digital campaigning, in light of recent concerns about the potential risks of ‘fake news’ and foreign interference in future ballots,” a spokesman said.

The review will also formalise plans, announced by Theresa May in February, for a new criminal offence of intimidating a parliamentary candidate.

“This new law could see people stripped of their right to stand for or hold public office, should they be found guilty of threatening or abusive behaviour, either in person or online,” the Cabinet Office said.

A report published today by the Commons digital and culture committee also calls for a “digital imprint”, as part of a series of recommendations to help tackle misinformation and “fake news”.

The committee proposes that Facebook and other social media companies should pay a levy to cover the costs of the Information Commissioner’s Office, Britain’s data privacy watchdog.