Skepticism Over Ofcom’s Promise to Wield Newfound Internet Powers Lightly

Skepticism Over Ofcom’s Promise to Wield Newfound Internet Powers Lightly
The Ofcom (Office of Communication) logo on the front of its headquarters in London, on Jan. 18, 2007. Bruno Vincent/Getty Images
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The regulator, boosted with extra powers, has set out its plans for the first 100 days as the UK’s online safety regulator, telling tech firms that they should start preparing now for new online safety rules.

In a statement on Thursday, Ofcom said that it will not “censor online content” as the Bill does not give it powers to moderate or respond to individuals’ complaints about individual pieces of content. It added that it will oblige the “largest and riskiest companies” to be transparent and consistent about how they “treat legal but harmful material” when accessed by adults.

Owen Evans
Owen Evans
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Owen Evans is a UK-based journalist covering a wide range of national stories, with a particular interest in civil liberties and free speech.
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