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The UK wants to be the safest place for children to grow up online. Many UK lawmakers have argued that the only way to secure the future of platforms is to criminalize tech leaders who knowingly failed to protect children. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s government has agreed to ensure the passage of the Online Safety Act, according to Reuters, which has reached an agreement to please lawmakers today. It now appears that tech company executives found to “intentionally” expose children to harmful content could face hefty fines and up to two years in prison in short order.
The agreement was reached on the remaining steps of the security bill before the House of Commons votes. Next, he will move on to a review in the House of Lords, which the BBC reports has “a long journey ahead of him.” Sunak said he would amend the bill to include new terms before it reaches the House of Lords, where lawmakers will have more opportunities to amend the wording.
Reports say that technology executives responsible for platforms that host user-generated content can only be held liable if they don’t take “reasonable steps” to prevent children from being exposed to harmful content, such as child sexual abuse, child abuse, eating disorders and selfies. – Injury. Some steps tech companies can take to avoid jail time and fines of up to 10 percent of a company’s global revenue include increasing age verification, implementing parental controls and policing content.
If passed, the Online Safety Bill would hold regulators responsible for holding tech companies to their own community guidelines, including content and age restrictions. If breaches of online security obligations are found, UK media regulator Ofcom is responsible for prosecuting tech leaders who fail to respond to enforcement notices. It is said that anyone found working in good faith to protect children will not be prosecuted.
Ars could not immediately reach any major technology company for comment on the House deal, but Reuters reported that U.S.-based executives have been closely monitoring updates on the online security bill.
In a statement, UK culture secretary Michelle Donnellan said the reform would prevent senior managers of tech companies from ignoring other potential requirements of the Online Safety Bill, and would give Ofcom “more teeth to deliver change and hold people accountable if they fail”. Protecting Children Properly”
Last month, Donnellan wrote a letter to parents explaining why she supports criminal penalties for any tech leaders who “will or agree” to circumvent the online safety bill’s requirements.
“The responsibility to keep young people safe online rests squarely on the shoulders of tech companies,” Donnellan wrote. Neither you nor your child should change any settings or apply filters to protect them from harmful content. Social media companies in Silicon Valley and their executives must build these safeguards into their platforms — and face serious legal consequences if they don’t meet their responsibilities.
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