Monday, November 28, 2022, at 10:35 p.m
Officially, the Online Safety Act’s “lawful but dangerous” provision has been repealed in an effort reduce moderation and to protect free speech.
This provision would have allowed tech companies the ability to remove content that was not illegal. Free speech advocates raised concerns about excessive censorship.
The government has confirmed that the measures will be replaced by new duties, which will increase freedom of expression and hold online platforms more accountable for their policies.
It will now only require companies that they remove content that is accessible by adults based on their terms and services or if the content is illegal.
This principle requires companies to have clear, simple-to-understand terms of service and to enforce them consistently.
Children will be given more attention, as a new amendment requires social media platforms like TikTok or Instagram to post their own risk assessments regarding the risks they pose to children.
Previously, the bill would have required platforms making these assessments, but not to publish them proactively.
The bill will also include age verification to ensure that Big Tech has a better understanding about who is accessing its content.
A new survey from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), has shown that more than 1.6million social media accounts owned and managed by children are not properly registered with their adult age.
Around 93 per cent of young people aged 11-17 said they have a Facebook and Instagram, Snapchat or TikTok account. A quarter (24%), misreport their age when doing so.
These modifications may not be for everyone.
Chair of Samaritans charity Julie Bentley praised the emphasis on children but stated that the “harmful impact of this content doesn’t stop at your 18th birthday”.
He stated that once we have made significant progress in internet safety by criminalizing self-harm online we are now told that social media sites won’t have to remove legal but dangerous suicidal material – a huge step forwards.
Next week, Parliament will receive the Internet Safety Bill.
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