UK Online Safety Act Enforces Fines on Social Media Platforms

Britain's Online Safety Act came into effect on March 17, requiring online platforms to implement measures to combat illegal content such as fraud, terrorism, and child sexual abuse material, or face hefty fines and potential shutdowns. The Act affects over 100,000 services, including major players like Facebook, Google, and TikTok, mandating that they take swift action against harmful content and enhance user safety features. The UK regulator Ofcom will monitor compliance and enforce penalties for violations, with fines reaching up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue for serious breaches. The government emphasizes that the Act aims to combat crime rather than restrict free speech, amidst some criticism from the U.S. Ofcom's enforcement program prioritizes tackling child sexual abuse material and has issued guidelines for platforms to follow, including using automated technology to detect illegal images. The technology secretary stated that this initiative marks a significant shift in how tech companies address user safety.