Sadiq Khan claims new law to make social media safer is “not fit for purpose”

Sadiq Khan (pictured above), the mayor of London, has urged the UK Government to revisit new social media rules. He says the disorder of last week shows that regulations due to come into force are “not fit for purpose.” 

The Online Safety Act became law in the UK last year but has yet to take full effect. Once in place, it will require platforms to act against illegal content and activity, including offences related to inciting violence. 

But Khan said that the rioting over the last week, which came after misinformation about the suspected Southport attacker spread on social media, showed that reform of the regulation was necessary. 

He said: “The way the algorithms work, the way that misinformation and disinformation can spread very quickly, is a cause to be concerned; we’ve seen a direct consequence.

“I think what the government should do very quickly is check whether the Online Safety Act is fit for purpose; I think it’s not fit for purpose.” 

After the stabbings in Southport on July 29th, a false story about the background of the suspected perpetrator spread online. 

Additionally, Elon Musk, the owner of X, has been heavily criticised for posts about the disorder in the wake of the Southport stabbings. 

The billionaire was called “deeply irresponsible” by Heidi Alexander, Justice Secretary, for posting that “civil war is inevitable” in the UK. 

He also reposted an image of a fake news headline about the UK’s response to riots. 

For the first time, the Online Safety Act will legally hold firms responsible for keeping users safe when they use their services. 

It will require platforms to implement clear and proportionate safety measures to prevent illegal and other harmful content from appearing and spreading on their sites. 

Platforms that do not comply could face fines of up to billions of pounds. 

Also, named managers could be held criminally liable in some instances, and sites may have limited access in most severe cases. 

Ofcom, who will oversee the new laws, on Wednesday, 7th August, urged social media companies to do more to deal with content stirring up hatred or provoking violence on Britain’s streets. 

The watchdog said: “In a few months, new safety duties under the Online Safety Act will be in place, but you can act now – there is no need to wait to make your sites and apps safer for users.”