BBC – Apr 8 – Internet sites could be fined or blocked if they fail to tackle "online harms" such as terrorist propaganda, child abuse, harassment, cyber-bullying and the sale of illegal goods, under new government plans. The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has proposed an independent watchdog that will write a "code of practice" for tech companies. Home Secretary Sajid Javid said tech giants and social media companies had a moral duty "to protect the young people they profit from". The plans call for an independent regulator to hold Internet companies to account. It would be funded by the tech industry. The government is considering fines for individual company executives and making search engines remove links to offending websites. It is also consulting over blocking harmful websites. But all sorts of issues has yet to be settled. Rebecca Stimson, Facebook's head of UK policy, said: "New regulations are needed so that we have a standardised approach across platforms and private companies aren't making so many important decisions alone."
by Chris Fox
See full article at BBC
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