Civil society groups warn that internet companies should have as much reason to protect free speech as to remove harmful content.
First pledged in the Conservative manifesto and now confirmed by the Queen’s Speech, the controversial “Digital Charter” has already prompted concerns about the possible implications for civil liberties.
Just as Magna Carta established political liberties in the early 13th century, the Digital Charter is intended to establish what online freedoms are acceptable in modern society.
The Government has said that it will involve technology companies, charities, communities, and international partners in the charter’s development.
It explained: “We strongly support a free and open internet. But… freedoms online must be balanced with protections.
“We will not shy away from tackling harmful behaviours and harmful content online – be that extremist, abusive or harmful to children.
“We will make sure that technology companies do more to protect their users and improve safety online, ” it added.
The responsibilities of technology companies were first highlighted this year after the terrorist attack in Westminster.
The Home Secretary warned technology companies at the time that they were providing extremists with a safe space to operate.
Civil society organisations have urged the Government to be cautious.
The executive director of Open Rights Group, Jim Killock, said: “We need to ensure that internet companies have as much incentive to fully protect free speech as they do to remove illegal content.
“We would hope that a Digital Charter’s regulatory framework will include independent or judicial oversight of material that is taken down by Internet companies.
“This will help to ensure that we do not simply place the free speech of UK citizens in the hands of private companies without any safeguards.”
In its manifesto pledge, the Conservative Party said it would “put a responsibility on industry not to direct users – even unintentionally – to hate speech, pornography, or other sources of harm” online.
It added that it would “introduce a sanctions regime to ensure compliance, giving regulators the ability to fine or prosecute those companies that fail in their legal duties, and to order the removal of content where it clearly breaches UK law.”
