UK says to strengthen internet laws to fight Russian disinformation

UK says to strengthen internet laws to fight Russian disinformation
July 5, 2022, 10:42 am

A court in Moscow has ruled to label Meta Platforms an “extremist organization," a move that effectively outlaws its Facebook and Instagram social media platforms (File photo: Pixabay)

The UK government said on Monday (July 4), Britain is proposing a new law that will require social media companies to proactively tackle disinformation posted by foreign states such as Russia.

The government said, the law would tackle fake accounts on platforms such as Meta's Facebook and Twitter that were set up on behalf of foreign states to influence elections or court proceedings.

The law is likely to be passed during this parliamentary session through an amendment to link the National Security Bill and Online Safety Bill, both of which are in the government's current programme, the Swissinfo reported, citing Reuters.

Communications regulator Ofcom will draw up codes of practice to help social media companies comply with the law, and will have the power to issue fines for infringement.

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Digital Secretary Nadine Dorries said on Monday the invasion of Ukraine has shown how Russia uses social media to spread lies about its actions.

"We cannot allow foreign states or their puppets to use the internet to conduct hostile online warfare unimpeded," she said. "That's why we are strengthening our new internet safety protections to make sure social media firms identify and root out state-backed disinformation."

Source: swissinfo

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