The UK government has announced ambitious new plans to regulate the internet which will give websites a “duty of care” to protect their UK users from illegal content related to child exploitation and terrorism, as well as harmful content more generally. The proposals say that the UK’s existing broadcast regulator Ofcom will be responsible for enforcing the new rules, which are expected to include the power to fine internet companies that don’t comply.
Full details of the legislation and Ofcom’s power to enforce it are set to be announced later this spring. Although the government will set the direction of the legislation, Ofcom will have the flexibility to decide how to respond to new “online dangers” as they emerge.