Summary
A UK inspector, Sir Andy Cooke, says the media regulator Ofcom needs more power to quickly remove misleading social media posts to prevent them from causing harm. He believes the current Online Safety Act does not provide Ofcom with enough tools to effectively stop the spread of harmful content, especially during events like riots.
Key Facts
- Sir Andy Cooke, a high-ranking official, emphasized the need for Ofcom to have more power to take down misleading social media posts quickly.
- He argued that the existing Online Safety Act is insufficient for handling such situations.
- Ofcom was criticized for not taking enough action to limit false and inflammatory posts during riots.
- Over 30 arrests were made due to social media posts during 2024 riots, sparked by a tragic event in Southport.
- Two individuals received prison sentences for posts promoting racial hatred.
- A report found police were not prepared for the scale of riots and had limited ability to manage online content.
- Sir Andy suggested changing laws about inciting public disorder to discourage misleading posts.
- He called for innovative police strategies to combat false information spreading on social media.
