The UK government is considering revisiting the Online Safety Act after a series of far-right riots fueled by false information spread on social media. These developments come as the nation grapples with the impact of unregulated online content on public safety and social cohesion.
Why This Matters
The Online Safety Act, which was passed in October, is set to be enforced early next year. The law empowers the government to impose fines of up to 10% of a social media company’s global revenue if they fail to adequately police illegal content, including incitements to violence or hate speech. However, in light of the recent riots, there are calls for the legislation to be strengthened.
Proposed amendments to the Act could expand the scope of regulatory oversight, allowing the communications regulator, Ofcom, to penalize companies that allow “legal but harmful” content, such as misinformation, to proliferate. This shift would mark a significant tightening of the UK’s approach to online safety, potentially setting a new standard for social media regulation globally.
The legislation was originally introduced by the previous Conservative government, which spent months fine-tuning the bill to strike a balance between protecting free speech and addressing online harms. However, the new Labour government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, may push for further changes in response to the recent unrest.
Public Opinion on Social Media Regulation
A recent survey conducted by YouGov highlights widespread public support for stronger regulation of social media platforms. According to the poll, 66% of the more than 2,000 adults surveyed believe that social media companies should be held accountable for posts that incite criminal behavior. Additionally, 70% of respondents feel that these companies are not currently regulated strongly enough, and 71% believe they failed to do enough to counter misinformation during the riots.
Key Statements
On Friday, Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds indicated that the government is open to revisiting the Online Safety Act’s provisions. Speaking to Sky News, he emphasized the need to ensure the legislation is fit for purpose: “There are obviously aspects of the Online Safety Act that haven’t come into effect yet. We stand ready to make changes if necessary.”
Similarly, London Mayor Sadiq Khan expressed concerns about the effectiveness of the current law. In an interview with The Guardian, he stated, “I think what the government should do very quickly is check if it is fit for purpose. I think it’s not fit for purpose.”
Context: The Riots and Their Aftermath
The recent riots erupted across Britain following the spread of false information online, which incorrectly identified the suspect in a July 29 knife attack as a Muslim migrant. The misinformation ignited tensions, leading to violent clashes between rioters and police in several towns and cities.
Adding to the chaos, X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk used his platform to share misleading information with his millions of followers. One of his posts suggested that civil war in Britain was “inevitable,” a comment that drew sharp criticism from various quarters. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson condemned such remarks, stating that there was “no justification” for them.
As the UK government reassesses its approach to social media regulation, the debate over balancing free speech with public safety continues to intensify. The coming months will likely see significant developments in how the UK, and potentially other countries, regulate online platforms to prevent the spread of harmful content.
