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UK Digital Secretary Details 'Online Harms Bill' Proposal

UK Digital Secretary Details 'Online Harms Bill' Proposal

LONDON — Boris Johnson’s Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden delineated his government’s proposal for a U.K. “Online Harms Bill” before parliament today, giving watchdog entity Ofcom regulatory power to “block access to online services” that are found to “fail to do enough to protect children and other users.”

According to the BBC, Ofcom “would also be able to fine Facebook and other tech giants billions of pounds, and require them to publish an audit of efforts to tackle posts that are harmful but not illegal.”

"A 13-year-old should no longer be able to access pornographic images on Twitter,” Dowden told parliament. “YouTube will not be allowed to recommend videos promoting terrorist ideologies and anti-Semitic hate crimes will need to be removed without delay."

Dowden threatened to introduce “secondary legislation” asking for criminal sanctions for senior managers of platforms and online services unless the changes he demanded are immediately implemented.

Dowden plans to bring his Online Harms Bill before parliament in 2021.

This is a developing story; stay tuned to XBIZ for follow-up coverage.

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