The UK Government is considering new measures that could require tech giants to curb the spread of "fake news" on social media platforms.
In response to recent riots, the UK Government is contemplating stringent measures that could compel social media companies to actively suppress the spread of "fake news" on their platforms. As reported by The Telegraph, Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has hinted at a review of social media laws aimed at curtailing further unrest.
The proposed legal framework would mandate tech firms to curb "legal but harmful" content, potentially encompassing information on topics ranging from asylum seekers to self-harm, even when such content does not violate existing laws. This move is rooted in the aftermath of a dispute involving Elon Musk, the owner of the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), and the Prime Minister concerning the handling of the riots.
The review may lead to amendments to the Online Safety Act, enacted last year, which obliges platforms to decisively act against illegal content. The Act originally included a "legal but harmful" clause but was removed due to fears that it could infringe on free speech rights. Critics, including Kemi Badenoch, a Conservative leadership contender, have voiced concerns about potential overreach.
The "legal but harmful" clause's potential reinstatement sparks debate over who will define "harmful" content and the methods of enforcement. Opponents warn of the risks that such a policy poses to free speech, with former Tory leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and ex-Cabinet minister Esther McVey criticizing the implications of these plans.
