What's happened
Ofcom's chief executive Melanie Dawes has urged social media platforms to adjust their algorithms to combat misinformation following unrest in Southport. The call comes as the UK prepares to implement the Online Safety Act, which aims to hold tech firms accountable for harmful content. The act is expected to enhance user protection, especially for children.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Ofcom's Melanie Dawes emphasized that misinformation spread rapidly after the Southport incident, stating, "Posts about the Southport incident... reached millions of users, demonstrating the role that virality and algorithmic recommendations can play in driving divisive narratives in a crisis period." Meanwhile, BBC News reported that Dawes noted the responses from tech firms were "uneven," indicating a lack of consistency in addressing harmful content. Politico highlighted that the Online Safety Act will introduce accountability measures for platforms, with Ireland's Media Minister Catherine Martin asserting, "It will make all of us, but particularly our children, safer online." This sentiment is echoed in The Independent, which outlines the new duties placed on social media platforms to protect users from illegal content. The contrasting views from these sources illustrate the urgency and complexity of regulating online spaces effectively.
How we got here
The unrest in Southport, triggered by the stabbing of three girls in July 2024, saw misinformation spread rapidly online, leading to violent protests. In response, the UK government has tasked Ofcom with evaluating the role of social media in the chaos and developing new regulations under the Online Safety Act.
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More on these topics
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The Office of Communications, commonly known as Ofcom, is the government-approved regulatory and competition authority for the broadcasting, telecommunications and postal industries of the United Kingdom.
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Online Safety Act may refer to:
Online Safety Act 2023, United Kingdom legislation
Online Safety Act 2021, Australian legislation
Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), proposed United States federal legislation
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Southport is a large seaside town in Merseyside, England. At the 2001 census, it had a population of 90,336, making it the eleventh most populous settlement in North West England.
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Dame Melanie Henrietta Dawes DCB is a British economist and civil servant. Since February 2020 she has been Chief Executive of Ofcom.
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The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland.
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Peter Kyle is a British Labour Party politician serving as the Member of Parliament for Hove since 2015, and the Shadow Minister for Schools since 2021.