Make platforms that promote violent content pay towards riot costs, Streeting says
Summary
Wes Streeting urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to make social media platforms like X responsible for costs from riots linked to violent posts on their sites. He criticized the government’s slow response and called for stronger actions against companies that allow harmful content to spread online.Key Facts
- Wes Streeting wants social media companies to pay for damages caused by riots fueled by violent posts.
- The recent Belfast riots were linked to angry messages on X, a social media platform owned by Elon Musk.
- Streeting said inciting violence online should be treated as a crime, just like offline.
- The Online Safety Act requires platforms to remove illegal posts, but enforcement by Ofcom will take time.
- The government plans to make social media remove harmful content faster during crises, but changes won’t happen before mid-July.
- After X had problems with AI-generated sexual images, Starmer warned to block the platform if it didn’t act quickly.
- Downing Street defends current actions and supports Ofcom’s enforcement of laws against harmful online content.
- Far-right figures and many posts spread false accusations and incitement before the riots in Southampton and Belfast.
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