Social media firms should be fined if they don’t prevent repeated abuse online, say MPs

Social media companies should face fines if they can’t prove they’re preventing people banned from their platforms for abusive behavior from opening new accounts, a report by MPs says.

The House of Commons Petitions Committee has called on the government to strengthen its online safety bill to better tackle abusive behaviour.

In addition to fines for companies that don’t prevent repeat offenders from returning to websites, the committee recommends that platforms should be required to allow users to link their accounts to a verified ID on a voluntary basis.

It also calls on the government to reassess whether police and prosecutors have the resources they need to effectively investigate and enforce the online abuse law, including the powers needed to track those down who post anonymously.

The government’s proposed online safety law proposes sweeping regulations for social media and other internet platforms, including website bans, fines and even criminal liability for company executives who fail to protect users from harm and abuse online.

Two previous reports from MPs and peers have suggested the law is not robust enough, and last month Culture Secretary Chris Philp told MPs during a debate in the House of Commons earlier this month that there were a “number of areas” where the Online safety law could be “substantially improved”.

The Petitions Committee’s latest report follows its inquiry into online abuse, which was sparked by a series of e-petitions calling for more action on the issue, including those by reality stars Bobby Norris and Katie Price.

“Online abuse is a silent threat, and this report sets out our recommendations to address the tremendous harm it causes and ensure perpetrators face appropriate consequences for their actions,” said committee chair Catherine McKinnell.

“The issue of banned users returning to social media platforms and continuing to send abuse was raised in Bobby Norris’ petition, which prompted our investigation.

“We’ve heard that social media companies need to make preventing these types of repeat offenders a higher priority and the government should ensure this is part of companies’ new online safety obligations.

“While abuse does not reach a criminal threshold, it can still have a significant impact on those affected, including not only their health but also their ability to express themselves freely online.

“Social media platforms should take proactive steps to create safer online spaces for everyone.”

Andy Burrows, head of online child safety policy at the NSPCC, called on the government to make changes to the online safety law following the latest report.

“Today’s report lays out how technology companies repeatedly fail to protect users from abusive content by doing nothing, which has devastating effects on vulnerable groups, including children,” he said.

“It is the third time in less than two months that a group of MPs has warned the government that the Online Safety Act needs to be strengthened to meet its fundamental objective of providing safety online.

“Ministers must now listen to these calls and significantly strengthen legislation to make it fit for the purpose of protecting children and families from entirely avoidable harm.”

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