MPs say Tories letting social media firms off the hook
TORY plans to crack down on social media companies and protect Brits online don’t go far enough, MPs have warned.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden defended the Government’s Online Harms Bill in the Commons yesterday, claiming that the plans showed “decisive action to protect people”.
But Tory and Labour MPs lined up to warn that the plans don’t go far enough, especially in tackling anonymous bullying, with Labour’s Shadow Culture Secretary Jo Stevens calling the current approach a “missed opportunity”.
She added: “The Government has been timid, or maybe he was persuaded by Sheryl Sandberg and Nick Clegg [of Facebook] in his meeting with them to water down the original proposals.”
Mr Dowden denied this and claimed “some tech firms are struck by the scale of the fines” proposed to ensure they are not lax with rules.
“These are some of the largest fines ever imposed, it’s up to 10% of the global revenue of a company like Facebook,” he added, although he said the Government hopes they will never have to impose fines or use other powers.
Former Tory Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said the Government must “do something around age verification” to protect children from certain online content, while ex-Tory Minister for Children Tim Loughton said compulsory ID verification could end anonymous harassment.
The Online Harms Bill is expected before Parliament next year.