Social media sites and search engines will be forced to prevent fraudulent adverts from appearing on their platforms under new proposals published by the UK government.
The new legal duty will require the most popular social media platforms to stop paid-for fraudulent adverts from appearing on their services. This measure is designed to protect internet users from being scammed by fake ads. Prominent examples include impersonating celebrities or companies to steal people’s personal data, peddling unsafe financial investments, or breaking into bank accounts.
The provision will be added to the government’s Online Safety Bill, which aims to tackle several online harms, ranging from child sexual abuse to fraud. Tech firms that fail to meet their duty of care can be fined up to £18m or 10% of their annual turnover, whichever is higher.
Under the new duty, social media sites and search engines will need to develop “proportionate” systems and processes to prevent or minimize to publication and/or hosting of fraudulent advertising on their service. They will also have to remove it once they are made aware of its presence.
The UK regulator Ofcom will provide further details on the methods these platforms should use to fulfill these duties. These may include scanning for scam adverts before they are uploaded to their systems, checking the identity of those who wish to publish advertisements and ensuring financial promotions are only made by organizations authorized by…
