Tech Execs Could Be Held Liable for Failing to Remove Illegal Knife Ads

Tech industry executives who fail to tackle illegal knife sales on their sites could face fines from police under new government plans. Senior executives of online companies could be ordered to remove adverts for illegal knives within two days of a police notice or risk being fined up to £10,000. The proposals, published by the Home Office on Wednesday, are part of the government’s pledge to halve knife crime over the next decade. Under government plans, the police will be given powers to send content removal notices to online marketplaces and platforms. The notice would first be sent to companies and their senior executives. Failure to remove specific content, potentially within 48 hours, will make the tech executives personally liable and open to civil action....