U.K. Will Fine Facebook, Tech Companies If They Host Terrorist Content
- Social media companies face U.K. ban for hosting criminality
- New law also aimed at tackling child abuse and illegal goods
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Technology firms including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter face “substantial” fines or a U.K. ban under a new law if they don’t act swiftly enough to remove content that encourages terrorism and child sexual exploitation and abuse.
The companies’ directors could also be held personally liable if illegal content is not taken down within a short and pre-determined time-frame, the Home Office said. The exact level of fines will be examined during a 12 week consultation following the legislation’s launch on Monday. The spread of fake news and interference in elections will also be tackled.