Britain said on Wednesday the new law would see telecommunications companies fined 10 percent of their revenue or GBP 18 million (approximately Rs. 187 crores) if they failed to end online harassment as hate crimes, and senior executives also faced criminal charges.
The Internet Security Bill also seeks to strengthen the right to freedom of expression, and to ensure that the democratic disputes and content of journalists are protected, the government said.
“It is time for technology companies to be held accountable and to protect British people from danger. If they fail to do so, they will face fines,” Interior Minister Priti Patel said.
Technology firms accused of doing too little to tackle online harassment, soccer clubs and other sports authorities stormed the world’s largest social media platforms last month to highlight the growing problem.
The bill will place a duty of care on social media companies and websites to ensure that they take immediate steps to remove illegal content, such as hate crimes, harassment, and threats against people, including under-reported criminal harassment.
There will also be a need to remove and restrict the spread of terrorist property, suicide content, and child sexual abuse, which will require them to report it to the authorities.
Those companies that fail to do so are subject to severe penalties from Ofcom’s administrator who may also block access to their sites.
“The draft Bill contains Ofcom’s reserve power to continue to take action against appointed executives whose companies do not comply with Ofcom’s requests for information,” the government said. “This will be introduced if technology companies fail to do their new job.”
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The proposed legislation will also require companies to protect freedom of expression, and to restore items that have been unfairly removed.
It will also prevent technology firms from discriminating against certain political views, and Ofcom will hold them accountable for unnecessary removal of journalistic content, the government added.
