UK Makes Rules That Could Penalize Executives Of Social Media Companies For Providing False Information And Obstructing Investigations

Nadine Dorries, UK Secretary of State for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport. (photo: twitter @NadineDorries)

JAKARTA – The British government announced on Wednesday, March 16 that executives at social media companies such as Facebook will face up to two years in prison. This can happen if they provide inaccurate information in an official regulatory investigation.

As part of the new law presented to parliament on Thursday, March 17, senior managers at technology companies will be criminally responsible for destroying evidence, failing to attend or providing false information in interviews with Ofcom. They can also be convicted of obstructing regulators from entering company offices.

The tougher law, which the government says is aimed at reducing online harassment and child sexual abuse, will also hold companies accountable for prosecution within two months of the law being passed. This schedule is more advanced than the two years previously planned.

We don't want pornographic images popping up on our children's phones.

We don't want our kids taking their own lives because algorithms direct them into some very bad places.

That's what this is about. pic.twitter.com/KVjv7g6Bbo

— Nadine Dorries (@NadineDorries) March 16, 2022

"Tech companies have not been held to account when harm, harassment, and criminal behavior has wreaked havoc on their platforms. Instead, they are left to mark their own homework," Nadine Dorries, Secretary of State (Minister) for Digital, Media, Culture and Sports affairs said, quoted by Reuters.

The government also said it would provide clearer guidance on communications deemed legal but dangerous. For example, some forms of harassment, or promotion of eating disorders, should be suppressed by social media platforms.

"This change removes any incentive or pressure for platforms to excessively remove legal content or controversial comments and will clear up the gray area around what is considered legal but harmful," Dorries said.

However, news content in this bill will receive an exception.

The changes were welcomed by a parliamentary committee that has scrutinized the previous bill. However, this bill attracted the attention of the Institute of Economic Affairs' free market.

"The focus on criminal sanctions for tech bosses, during a free speech ban in Russia, is frankly appalling," said Matthew Lesh, the IEA's head of public policy.

"The new planned communication breach will force the platform to delete the speech only on the suspicion that it may cause psychological harm," he added.