A prison for social media bosses who repeatedly failed to remove malicious content

Michelle Donelan, Secretary of State for Technology and Science, announced changes to the Internet Safety Act. Credit: John Lawrence/Daily Telegraph

Social media bosses who repeatedly fail to remove harmful content, such as videos of suicide and self-harm, face up to two years in prison under plans announced by ministers on Tuesday.

Michelle Donelan, Secretary of Technology and Science, has announced changes to the Internet Safety Bill that would criminalize senior executives in technology firms for systematically violating their duty to protect children from harmful material.

The measures are designed as a last resort if company leaders continue to ignore regulator Ofcom's demands to fix deficiencies in their technology that seriously harm children. goes beyond Ofcom's power to fine tech giants up to 10% of their global turnover for infringements. The regulator can also block firms from accessing UK users.

The changes are based on Irish law, according to which individual executives are responsible for complying with the country's new online regulator's notice and can face prison sentences if they continue to do so. contrary to their duties.

A tougher approach followed an uprising by more than 50 Conservative MPs calling for jail terms for the bosses. They were led by Conservative MPs Miriam Cates and Sir Bill Cash, backed by former Home Secretary Priti Patel and former Tory leader Ian Duncan Smith.

Ministers insist that the threat of jail time will not affect social media executives , which acted in good faith in proportionate compliance with the requirements of the regulatory body, but is intended for managers who «consented or condoned disregard for mandatory requirements, at the risk of causing serious harm to children.» .

Other government amendments will force firms to publish risk assessments for children from illegal content and harmful materials on their websites. Previously it was suggested that only Ofcom be reported.

Controlling and coercive behavior will be considered a «priority». offense, which means companies will have to actively look for it on their platforms and prevent it, rather than waiting for someone to report it to them.

Companies will be required by law to remove ads promoting smuggling services and counter foreign disinformation that could destabilize the UK.

Victims, domestic violence representatives and children's commissioners will become official advisers, which means Ofcom will have to consult with them and consider their input when implementing the rules.

Tech companies have resumed their attacks on proposed laws that would force them to expose child sexual abuse in encrypted messages.

WhatsApp executives and its Signal competitor signed an open letter warning that the plans contained in the internet security bill would open the door to «indiscriminate surveillance».

The bill would give the regulator, Ofcom, the power to order companies to use the technology to detect illegal material in encrypted services.

However, the technology has not been specified, and the companies claim that it is impossible to break the encryption while maintaining privacy. .