London (Parliament Politics Magzine) – Social media firms will face punishments for failing to keep children secure on their platforms, communications watchdog Ofcom has cautioned.
Services like Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp could encounter fines from the regulator if they do not concede with the new Online Safety Act – which comes into force early next year – Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes, said. Dame Melanie expressed it was the responsibility of the companies – not guardians or children – to make sure people were secure online.
How does the Online Safety Act impact platforms?
Firms will have three months from when the direction is finalised to carry out risk assessments and make appropriate changes to safeguard users. Ofcom has been placing together codes of practice since the Online Safety Act became law. The Act directs social media firms to safeguard children from content such as self-harm material, pornography and violent content.
Dame Melanie stated that technology companies are required to be “honest and transparent” about what their “services are revealing their users to”. “If we don’t think they’ve done that job well enough, we can take enforcement action, simply against that failure.”
What changes are expected from social media companies?
Ofcom has already been in close connection with social networking services and Dame Melanie stated when the new legal protection became enforceable the regulator would be “ready to go”.
She added: “We know that some of them are preparing but we are expecting very significant changes.” Dame Melanie expressed that changes could also include permitting people to take themselves out of group chats, without anyone else being able to notice they had left.
The Online Safety Act seeks to force tech firms to take more obligation for the content on their platforms. Ofcom has the power to fine businesses which break the rules up to 10% of their global revenue. It can also blockade access to their businesses in the UK.