SAJID JAVID was urged to fast-track a web crackdown yesterday – amid claims a new internet regulator could be TWO YEARS away.
The Home Secretary and Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright are preparing to slap social media giants with a statutory Duty of Care to protect Brits from “online harms”.
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The policy is due to be unveiled in the final week of March.
But insiders told The Sun yesterday that a new independent regulatory body proposed to police the crackdown may not be up and running until 2022 given the time required to pass necessary legislation.
Separately, officials have warned the “scope” of the crackdown is so wide that websites such as Netmums and TripAdvisor may be dragged into it.
One insider said: “As it’s been proposed, the regulatory framework will apply to any company that allows people to share content or interact with each other.
“So that’s social media platforms but also public discussion forums.”
The Home Office wants the new regulator to concentrate on companies that “pose the biggest risk”. But under the new law, any company that falls under the scope of the crackdown would have to comply – and be liable to
substantial fines.
And they – as well as the likes of YouTube – will have to ensure no harmful content – such as cyber bullying – goes on their sites.
One source said: “No one’s denying the impact of online harms but the response to tackling it should be proportionate.
“Efforts are better spent targeting platforms that host dangerous content – not the comment section of Argos online.
“Any regulator introduced needs to act on the worst offenders, not try to regulate the entire internet.”
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport refused to comment about how long it could take for a new regulator to be in place.
A spokesman said: “The Government will soon publish a White Paper which will set out the responsibilities of online platforms, how these responsibilities should be met and what would happen if they are not.
“We have heard calls for an Internet Regulator and to place a statutory ‘duty of care’ on platforms, and are seriously considering all options.”
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