Police to get tough on internet trolls. - Page 47

RichardCoulter · 30-01-2020, 16:16

As part of efforts to improve their platform, one of the most prolific trolls, Katie Hopkins, has had her Twitter account suspended whilst her account is investigated for hateful content, some of it retweeted by Donald Trump:

https://www-independent-co-uk.cdn.am...-a9309351.html

**Paul** · 30-01-2020, 19:23

So its ok for them to hate Katie ?
Have they suspended Donald Trumps account as well ?

Dont get me wrong, Katie is a complete muppet, but twatter should not be randomly suspending accounts just becasue someone "demands" it.

That said, the world would be far better if all these antisocial media sites were shut down.

**Maggy** · 30-01-2020, 22:25

Everybody has a right to an opinion.Everyone has a right to express that opinion. However that doesn't mean everyone to listen to that opinion.

Stuart · 31-01-2020, 15:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

So its ok for them to hate Katie ?
Have they suspended Donald Trumps account as well ?

Dont get me wrong, Katie is a complete muppet, but twatter should not be randomly suspending accounts just becasue someone "demands" it.

That said, the world would be far better if all these antisocial media sites were shut down.

That's where Twitter's standards fall down.

I don't think that Katie's particular brand of hate should be tolerated. Nor do I think the brand of hate often spouted by those that consider themselves politically correct. I certainly don't agree with Twitter that Trump should be allowed to tweet his brand of hate because it is historically significant. It may be historically significant, but that does not mean it's right.

That said, Trump gets a lot of publicity (and therefore views) for twitter, so of course they are going to give him a little more leeway.

**Maggy** · 01-02-2020, 09:19

Look if I don't like something on social media I just block the person.As I said before I don't have to listen to people expressing their views.

denphone · 01-02-2020, 10:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maggy

Look if I don't like something on social media I just block the person.As I said before I don't have to listen to people expressing their views.

l could not agree more.

RichardCoulter · 02-02-2020, 17:31

Looks like this was done as a result of pressure from Rachael Riley (countdown host) and the Campaign to Counter Digital Hate (CCDH).

Carth · 03-02-2020, 17:48

CCDH . . . no not the Apache stuff, the gang mentioned above.

Seems a bit dodgy to me from reading an article from last September

https://medium.com/@tennissocialist/...h-b1d6f5204bc7

made me smile anyway

RichardCoulter · 12-02-2020, 13:22

Ofcom have been chosen to be the regulator that will deal with online bullying etc. They have reiterated that they intend to make accessing the internet in the UK the safest place in the world:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-51446665

This follows numerous failed attempts to make websites self regulatory, eg not doing enough to prevent harassment/bullying in the first place, or failing to take down offensive material quickly enough or at all.

Seyi Akiwowo welcomed the 'Online Harms Bill' after setting up the online abuse awareness group 'Glitch' following sexist and racist harassment online.

**Paul** · 13-02-2020, 12:35

Another huge waste of money and government inteference.

Itshim · 13-02-2020, 17:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul

Another huge waste of money and government inteference.

l am getting worried yet again l totally agree

figgyburn · 13-02-2020, 17:30

"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the Government, and I'm here to help. "

RichardCoulter · 14-02-2020, 02:12

It does seem odd that they've announced this, but not the penalties that websites can expect for non compliance.

There's rumours that it will be enforced by way of a fine of up to a million pounds and the site being blocked, but nothing official yet.

I hope that they will take into account the turnover of any sites found to be in breach. A million pounds is nothing to the likes of Facebook, but would be detrimental to a small local community site (who may well not have the support of backend legal staff etc).

**Hugh** · 14-02-2020, 14:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter

It does seem odd that they've announced this, but not the penalties that websites can expect for non compliance.

There's rumours that it will be enforced by way of a fine of up to a million pounds and the site being blocked, but nothing official yet.

I hope that they will take into account the turnover of any sites found to be in breach. A million pounds is nothing to the likes of Facebook, but would be detrimental to a small local community site (who may well not have the support of backend legal staff etc).

That's because they don't exist yet.

From your link...

Quote:

The intention is that government sets the direction of the policy but gives Ofcom the freedom to draw up and adapt the details. By doing this, the watchdog should have the ability to tackle new online threats as they emerge without the need for further legislation.

A full response will be published in the spring.

And from the bottom of the article

Quote:

In many countries, social media platforms are permitted to regulate themselves, as long as they adhere to local laws on illegal material.

Germany introduced the NetzDG Law in 2018, which states that social media platforms with more than two million registered German users have to review and remove illegal content within 24 hours of being posted or face fines of up to €50m (£42m).

Australia passed the Sharing of Abhorrent Violent Material Act in April 2019, introducing criminal penalties for social media companies, possible jail sentences for tech executives for up to three years and financial penalties worth up to 10% of a company's global turnover.

And this is Ofcom's response

Quote:

We share the Government’s ambition to keep people safe online and welcome that it is minded to appoint Ofcom as the online harms regulator.

We will work with the Government to help ensure that regulation provides effective protection for people online and, if appointed, will consider what voluntary steps can be taken in advance of legislation.

In summary -

They haven't done anything, the Government are minded to appoint Ofcom to do this (but haven't yet), but if they do, Ofcom will work with providers to put together voluntary guidelines until new laws come in, when ever that is.

Much ado about very little action, just saying that things might happen...

heero_yuy · 14-02-2020, 14:21

Good luck in trying to block a site. TPB and the other torrent indexers have been easily reachable (VPN or proxy) for over three years since a court injuction was placed on ISP's to prevent access.

If a site has no assets or employees in the UK or sphere of UK influence there's precious little that could be done to make it pay any fine.