UK plans to fine social media firms if they fail to curb abuse

The new bill lets gov’t pursue criminal action against named senior managers whose firms fail to comply with the rules.

Britain said has a planned new law would see social media companies fined up to 10 percent of turnover or 18 million UK pounds ($25m) if they failed to stamp out online abuse such as racist hate crimes, while senior managers could also face criminal action. The Online Safety Bill also seeks to strengthen the right to freedom of expression and ensure democratic political debate and journalistic content is protected, the government said on Wednesday. “It’s time for tech companies to be held to account and to protect the British people from harm. If they fail to do so, they will face penalties,” Home Secretary Priti Patel said.