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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Dan Milmo

Legislation aims to shield UK internet users from state-backed disinformation

A screenshot of Ben Wallace being prank-called earlier this year by Russian hoaxers.
A screenshot of Ben Wallace being prank-called earlier this year by Russian hoaxers. Photograph: Vovan222prank

Tech firms will be required to shield internet users from state-sponsored disinformation posing a threat to UK society and democracy, under changes to a landmark online safety bill.

The legislation will require social media platforms, video streaming services and search engines to take action to minimise people’s exposure to foreign state-backed disinformation aimed at interfering with the UK. Such content would, for instance, include incidents such as the video of Ben Wallace being prank-called earlier this year by Russian hoaxers pretending to be the Ukrainian prime minister.

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