Under this new legislation, online platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram and Google, will be legally obliged to remove harmful content, which will include scams and fraudulent content amongst others.
Read on to find out the significance of this new legislation for consumers and for advice on staying safe online.
Why the Online Safety Bill matters
Currently big tech has no legal responsibility to prevent criminals operating on their platforms, allowing platforms to take a reactive approach to removing harmful content.
Which? has long campaigned for greater protections for consumers from online fraudsters, and our research has regularly highlighted the detriment consumers suffer due to online fraud on unregulated online platforms.
Under the Online Safety Bill, online platforms will be required to prevent and quickly remove harmful online content. Ofcom will be responsible for ensuring platforms implement these changes once the Bill receives Royal Assent in the coming weeks.
Which? responds to passing of Online Safety Bill
Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, said: ‘The Online Safety Bill passing its final hurdle in parliament is a very significant moment.
'Which? led the campaign for consumers to have stronger protections against potentially devastating scam adverts on social media platforms and search engines. These new laws should make a big difference by putting the onus on tech firms to stop them from appearing in the first place.
'The tech giants need to get their houses in order ahead of these new laws coming into force, while Ofcom must hold platforms to a high standard and stand ready to take enforcement action, including fines, against firms that fail to meet those standards.’
Staying safe online
Fraudsters are expert at being able to part you from your money, creating convincing websites, emails and social media pages and profiles.
If you’re being asked for money or personal details, think twice about handing them over. An offer that’s too good to be true is sadly often the case - whether that’s a bargain price for sought-after goods or tickets, or an investment offer with an unusually high return, we’ve seen them all.
undefinedsource https://www.which.co.uk/news/article/groundbreaking-online-safety-bill-set-to-become-law-ae9O50W9NGUk