UK mulls social media regulation after days of far-right riots

The UK is mulling changes to the Online Safety Act designed to regulate social media companies that is not set to be enforced until 2024

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People take part in a rally supporting migrants and refugees and opposing recent anti-immigration protests, in Brighton. Photo: Reuters

Published: 7:26pm, 9 Aug 2024

The British government is considering changes to the Online Safety Act designed to regulate social media companies, following a week of racist rioting driven by false information online.

The act, passed in October but not set to be enforced until early next year, allows the government to fine social media companies up to 10 per cent of global turnover if they are found in breach.

At present, companies would only face a fine if they fail to police illegal content, such as incitements to violence or hate speech. Proposed changes could see Ofcom sanction companies if they allow “legal but harmful” content such as misinformation to flourish.

Britain’s recently-elected Labour government inherited the legislation from the Conservatives, who spent many months tweaking the bill in an attempt to balance the right to free speech with concerns over online harms.

A cafe that was set on fire during anti-immigration protests on Saturday in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Photo: Reuters

On Friday, pollster YouGov published a survey of more than 2,000 adults, which found two thirds believe social media companies should be held responsible for posts inciting criminal behaviour.

A further 70 per cent of respondents said social media companies were not strongly regulated enough, and 71 per cent said they did not do enough to counter misinformation while the riots were ongoing.