UK government proposes sweeping new regulations of online content

Enlarge / British Prime Minister Theresa May. (credit: Jack Taylor/Getty Images)

The British government is considering sweeping new laws to regulate problematic content online, ranging from terrorist propaganda to fake news. A new proposal unveiled on Monday would impose a new "duty of care" on websites hosting user-submitted content. Under the plan, a new UK agency would develop codes of practice outlining how sites should deal with various types of harmful content.

The new proposal follows last month's mass shooting in Christchurch, New Zealand, which left 50 people dead. In the wake of that attack, Australia passed a new law that requires major platforms to quickly remove violent online material-or face harsh fines and possibly even jail time. On Monday, a committee of the EU parliament backed a law that would fine online platforms up to 4 percent of their revenue if they failed to take down terrorist content within four hours.

Britain's proposal is much broader, requiring technology companies to police their platforms for a wide range of objectionable material. Companies could face fines if they don't remove harmful material quickly.

Read 12 remaining paragraphs | Comments