UK Applies New Cyber Security Law Next Year, Criminalizes Hate Speech

ILLUSTRATION OF UNSPLASH/Brett Jordan

JAKARTA - The UK's cybersecurity law has gained the attention of the government after right-wing groups used social media to incite and incite acts of violence.

The new law (UU) will begin to be implemented next year and is aimed at controlling the spread of speculative news and hate speech.

The law, which was passed on October 26, 2023, is subject to the implementation of regulations in stages and will be fully enforced next year.

Reported by ANTARA from Anadolu, Tuesday, August 20, the new law will criminalize the spread of false or threatening content with the aim of causing psychological or physical harm.

In addition, the new 286-page law also sets a new responsibility for social media platforms to remove illegal content such as racial hate incitement and criminal activities.

The law will also require technology companies to take bigger steps to protect children from harmful material.

Social media platforms need to remove content related to exploitation and sexual abuse of children, coercive behavior, support or facilitate suicide or self-harm, animal atrocities, the sale of illegal drugs or weapons, and terrorism.

Providers also need to implement a system to reduce the risk of their services being used for illegal activities.

Companies that do not comply can be fined up to 18 million pounds (361.2 billion rupiah) or 10 percent of their global income, depending on which income is greater.

Once this law is in effect, Ofcom, the British media regulator, will oversee the law enforcement and have the authority to take action against companies that fail to fulfill their new obligations.

Ofcom will also hold senior companies and executives accountable if their media platforms fail to comply with law enforcement notices related to exploitation and sexual abuse of children.

Regulators are still continuing public consultations regarding the obligations of the law.

This law came to the attention after a stabbing in the coastal city of Southport on July 29, in which a 17-year-old teenager Axel Rudakubana killed three children and injured 10 others.

The incident was then used by right-wing groups to spark protests via Telegram, TikTok and X by spreading false news that the suspect was a Muslim immigrant.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer then warned of tougher action if social media companies did not do more to remove harmful content, and accused them of fueling violence spread by right-wing groups.

A spokesperson for Starmer ensured that the British government concentrated on "cooperation with social media companies and ensured they followed existing responsibilities".

The government also prefers to "implement existing laws quickly and effectively" rather than change them, the spokesperson said.

"We emphasize that social media companies have a responsibility to ensure there is no place for hatred and unlawful violations on their platforms, and we work closely with the company to ensure that happens," the spokesman said.

The spokesman said the government also supports law enforcement in pursuing those who incite violence online.