UK may ban social media firms over toxic content

IANS  |  London 

firms, including Facebook, and Twitter, face hefty fines or ban in Britain if they fail to remove harmful content quickly under new laws, set to be unveiled on Monday, the media reported.

is considering measures that would block errant firms' access to UK users, reported on Sunday.

The firms that fail to sanitise their platform could be removed from like

Citing a leaked government document, reported on Thursday under the new plans, an independent regulator will have the power to impose substantial fines on companies that breached their duty of care.

The move comes after the livestreaming of the terror attack, in which 50 people were killed, sparked global outrage. The video was viewed over 4,000 times before it was removed. The video was later shared in millions on other social media platforms, including and YouTube.

"Vital discussions at around -- especially after horrors of Christchurch. I made clear our upcoming Online Harms White Paper will ensure take more responsibility. Much more global action needed in this area," the said in a tweet on Thursday referring to the terror attack in Christchurch.

--IANS

gb/pcj

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First Published: Sun, April 07 2019. 19:38 IST