GadZucks! Jail for social media harm
The British government is on the verge of approving tougher measures for a new online safety bill that could make tech CEOs like Mark Zuckerberg criminally liable for harmful content consumed by children on social media.
Specifically, an amendment to the bill proposes jail sentences of up to two years for tech executives who fail to shield young children from online content that experts say puts them at increased risk of self-harm.
According to the provision’s language, tech companies will be required to “remove illegal content” which includes “child sexual abuse,” “controlling or coercive behavior,” “extreme sexual violence,” “fraud,” “hate crime,” “inciting violence,” “illegal immigration and people smuggling,” “promoting or facilitating suicide,” “promoting self harm,” “revenge porn,” “sexual exploitation,” and “terrorism.”
Tech firms must “prevent children from accessing harmful and age-in-appropriate content.” They will also be required to “enforce age limits and age-checking measures” and “publish risk assessments.”
Failure to do so could result in stiff penalties, including fines of up to $22 million or “10% of their annual global turnover, whichever is greater.”
“Criminal action will be taken against senior managers who fail to follow information requests from regulators,” said the British government.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has reached agreement with lawmakers from his Conservative Party who demanded changes to the Online Safety Bill. The proposed bill is expected to reach the House of Lords this spring and pass before November.
Britain, unlike the US, does not have freespeech protections enshrined in a constitution.
Meta, the parent company of social media apps Facebook and Instagram, has been blamed for a spike in young people’s eating disorders, depression and suicidal ideation.