Tech Firms Must Reform Algorithms to Protect Children or Face ‘Hefty Fines’: Ofcom

Ofcom has warned that online sites, including popular social media platforms, will face hefty fines and enforcement action, if they fail to reform their algorithms recommending harmful content to children. A draft guidance, published by the UK communications watchdog, lists 40 safety measures, including robust age-checks, to protect underage users. In practice, that means popular social media sites, like Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat will have to implement “highly effective age-checks.” In some cases, this will mean preventing children from accessing the online service altogether. “ … platforms must introduce the kinds of age-checks young people experience in the real world and address algorithms which too readily mean they come across harmful material online,” said Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan....