EU agrees rules to force big tech to rein in illegal content or face huge fines

Digital Services Act can now fine platforms like Facebook, Google and Twitter up to 6% of their global revenue

Large online platforms including Facebook, Google and Twitter will have to do more to tackle illegal content or face multibillion euro fines under a new European Union regulatory regime agreed on Saturday.

The wide-ranging Digital Services Act (DSA) can fine a company up to 6% of its global turnover for violating the rules - which would be $7bn (5.9bn) in the case of Facebook's owner - while repeated breaches could result in a tech firm being banned from doing business in the EU.