Social media platforms that breach pledges to block sexist and racist content face the threat of big fines under government changes to the online safety bill announced last night.
Under the new approach, social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter must also give users the option of avoiding content that is harmful but does not constitute a criminal offence. This could include racism, misogyny or the glorification of eating disorders.
Ofcom, the communications regulator, will have the power to fine companies up to 10% of global turnover for breaches of the act. Facebook's parent, Meta, posted revenues of $118bn (£99bn) last year.
A harmful communications offence has, however, been dropped from the legislation after criticism from Conservative MPs that it was legislating for "hurt feelings".
Ministers have scrapped the provision on regulating "legal but harmful" material - such as offensive content that does not constitute a criminal offence - and are instead requiring platforms to enforce their terms and conditions for users. If those terms explicitly prohibit content that falls below the threshold of criminality - such as some forms of abuse Ofcom will then have the power to ensure the platforms police them adequately.
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