New online safety rules put the profits of Big Tech firms ahead of children’s safety, campaigners warned last night.
In an angry backlash, parents and the Children’s Commissioner said Ofcom‘s long-awaited rules did not go far enough.
The communications regulator insisted that young people would have ‘safer online lives’ under its final proposals to tackle legal but harmful content on websites, social media and apps.
Ofcom said it had the power to fine technology firms up to £18 million or 10 per cent of their global revenue and can even seek court orders banning access to sites in the UK if they breach their duties under the landmark Online Safety Act.
But children’s safety campaigners said the codes of practice will not keep children safe from highly addictive apps and accused the watchdog of letting Big Tech firms off lightly.
In a stinging rebuke, Children’s Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza said: ‘I made it very clear last year that its proposals were not strong enough to protect children from the multitude of harms they are exposed to online every day.
‘I am disappointed to see this code has not been significantly strengthened and seems to prioritise the business interests of technology companies over children’s safety.
‘I urge Ofcom to ensure online protections mirror what children have told me they want to see. I will be urgently expressing my concerns about the code with Ofcom.’
UK and US families, who have lost children due to online harms, hold a vigil outside of Meta’s Manhattan office
Molly Russell, 14, (pictured) took her own life after viewing harmful content online. Her father Ian Russell has since spoken out about the new rules
Ian Russell, father of Molly Russell, who took her own life aged 14 after viewing harmful content online, added: ‘I am dismayed by the lack of ambition in yesterday’s codes. Instead of moving fast to fix things, the painful reality is that Ofcom’s measures will fail to prevent more young deaths like my daughter’s.
‘Ofcom’s risk-averse approach is a bitter pill for bereaved parents to swallow. Their overly cautious codes put the bottom line of reckless tech companies ahead of tackling preventable harm.’
He told Times Radio he had ‘pretty much lost trust’ with Technology Secretary Peter Kyle, who was last month accused of cosying up to Big Tech chiefs on a trip to California.
Mr Kyle yesterday championed the new rules as a ‘watershed moment’. He said US tech firms ‘must adhere to British laws’ if they are to operate in the UK, before saying he had ‘had the pleasure of visiting these companies’ in their Silicon Valley bases.
The Technology Secretary has been accused of being too close to the tech industry as Britain’s creative industry fights Labour plans to give AI developers a copyright exemption on their works.
It came as a group of British parents who believe social media played a part in the deaths of their children travelled to the US to demand better online safety protections.
Four families flew to New York yesterday to protest with hundreds of others from the US and Canada outside the Manhattan offices of Meta – owner of Facebook and Instagram.
‘All we’re asking for is can you please help us protect our children,’ said Mark Kenevan, father of Isaac who died aged 13 after taking part in a social media challenge.
Ofcom insisted that young people would have ‘safer online lives’ under its final proposals to tackle legal but harmful content on websites, social media and apps (stock image)
Children’s Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza said: ‘I made it very clear last year that its proposals were not strong enough to protect children from the multitude of harms they are exposed to online every day
Under Ofcom’s new laws, companies will have to change the powerful algorithms that recommend videos – including pornography and material promoting suicide or eating disorders – to stop smartphone and computer users being sent down a rabbit hole of dangerous content.
They will also have to introduce ‘highly effective’ checks to block under-18s accessing age-restricted sites and make it easier for children to control what they see and make complaints, in more than 40 measures that must be in place by July.
The NSPCC said private messaging apps such as WhatsApp, where ‘unmoderated content can spread like wildfire’, continue to pose a ‘major risk’ under the current plans. And there are growing fears that the rules, which will have a major impact on those based in Silicon Valley, may be watered down still further as ministers desperately seek a US trade deal with Donald Trump.
Liberal Democrat science spokesman Victoria Collins said: ‘It’s unbelievable that ministers are reportedly considering watering down online safety provisions to secure a bargain-basement Trump trade deal. This would be an unforgivable mis-step by the Labour Government.’
Ofcom said: ‘We don’t recognise this characterisation of our rules which will be transformational in shaping a safer life online for children in the UK. Ofcom has been tasked with bringing about a safer generation of children online, and if companies fail to act they will face enforcement.’
A No 10 spokesman said: ‘We will keep listening and will not hesitate to strengthen the law further to ensure the safety of our children and the British public.’
