Social Media Under Scrutiny Amidst UK Violence and Disorder: A Call for Stronger Regulation
The recent surge of violence and disorder on Britain’s streets has brought the role of social media into sharp focus, raising concerns about the spread of misinformation and the incitement of hatred and violence through online platforms. The ease with which harmful content can proliferate online has prompted calls for stricter regulation and more effective content moderation practices. This article delves into the current landscape of social media content moderation, the legal ramifications of posting hateful material, and the potential impact of forthcoming legislation.
Current content moderation practices on major social media platforms rely on a combination of human moderators, automated tools, and artificial intelligence. These platforms establish community guidelines that users are expected to adhere to. However, the sheer volume of content uploaded daily, coupled with the nuanced nature of online communication, makes it challenging to identify and remove all harmful material effectively. The reliance on user reporting, the limitations of AI in understanding context, and the presence of encrypted messaging systems further complicate the moderation process.
Recent cost-cutting measures at several tech companies, including significant reductions in moderation staff, have exacerbated the problem. Elon Musk’s drastic downsizing of Twitter’s moderation team, driven by a desire for greater "free speech" and cost savings, serves as a prime example. Such actions have arguably created an environment where harmful content can spread more readily, underscoring the need for more robust regulatory oversight.
UK law already prohibits incitement, provocation of violence, and harassment, both online and offline, primarily under the Public Order Act 1986. While social media platforms generally prohibit such content in their terms of service, the sheer volume of online activity makes it practically impossible to prevent all instances of harmful posts. The rapid spread of misinformation and incitements to violence often outpaces the ability of platforms to react and remove or restrict visibility.
The Online Safety Act, passed in the UK last year but yet to be fully implemented, aims to address these challenges. This legislation will hold social media companies legally accountable for the safety of their users, particularly children. The Act mandates "robust action" against illegal content, including incitement to violence and the dissemination of harmful misinformation. It also introduces new criminal offenses related to online threats and the spread of harmful falsehoods.
The Online Safety Act empowers Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, to impose significant penalties on non-compliant platforms. These include fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue, whichever is greater. In severe cases, Ofcom can seek court orders to disrupt a platform’s operations, including restricting access through internet service providers. Perhaps most significantly, the Act allows for criminal liability for senior managers who fail to comply with Ofcom’s directives. This provision aims to incentivize platforms to prioritize user safety and take proactive steps to combat harmful content.
Ofcom has already urged social media companies to take immediate action to address content contributing to hatred and violence, emphasizing that they need not wait for the Online Safety Act to be fully enforced. The regulator plans to issue further guidance later this year outlining specific requirements for platforms to tackle content related to hatred, disorder, incitement to violence, and disinformation. This guidance, coupled with the robust enforcement powers granted by the Online Safety Act, signifies a significant step towards holding social media companies accountable for the content shared on their platforms and ensuring a safer online environment for all users. The efficacy of these measures, however, remains to be seen as the digital landscape continues to evolve and present new challenges for content moderation and online safety.