The first day after Liz Truss met with the Queen and was asked to form a new government has been full of speculation and hints at what policies she will introduce first.
After announcing her new cabinet, Ms Truss is also expected to reveal her plans, particularly an energy package to combat the energy bills crisis.
This package is believed to include a return to fracking, a practice that has been banned in the UK since 2019.
Another area that Ms Truss is expected to enact change in is the Online Safety Bill, which she yesterday announced would return to the House of Commons.
Here’s a look at what the Online Safety Bill covers and what changes Ms Truss may be planning to include.
What is the Online Safety Bill?
The Online Safety Bill is part of the government’s commitment to improve internet safety in the UK, pledging to make it “the safest place in the world to be online while defending free expression”.
First published in draft form in May 2021, the bill has been strengthened and clarified to include the following key points.
The Bill introduces new rules for firms that allow users to post their own content online or interact with each other and for search engines.
Platforms that fail to protect people could face regulatory observations and fines of up to 10% of their revenues or, in the most serious cases, be blocked altogether.
All platforms will also need to tackle and remove illegal material online, with a particular focus on terrorism and child sexual exploitation and abuse.
Platforms used largely by children will also have a duty to protect young people using their services from legal but harmful material such as self-harm or eating disorder content.
Platforms with pornographic content on their services will be required to prevent children from accessing that content.
Freedom of expression will be protected because these laws are not about imposing excessive regulation or state removal of content, but ensuring that companies have the systems and processes in place to ensure users’ safety. Proportionate measures will avoid unnecessary burdens on small and low-risk businesses.
In addition, large platforms will also need to take action to prevent fraudulent ads, including harmful scam adverts.
What changes is Liz Truss proposing to the Online Safety Bill?
Ms Truss confirmed that there may be some changes made to the Online Safety Bill while addressing MPs at her first Prime Minister’s Questions session.
When asked if she would support the bill coming back to the House to “consider further and amend if necessary”, Ms Truss responded: “I can assure my honourable friend that we will be proceeding with the Online Safety Bill.
“There are some issues that we need to deal with. What I want to make sure is we protect the under-18s from harm, but we also make sure free speech is allowed, so there may be some tweaks required,” she continued.
The Online Safety Bill has so far faced strong criticism over the powers that it would hand over to regulatory body Ofcom.
In August, the Institute of Economic Affairs warned that the Online Safety Bill could hand the Secretary of State and Ofcom “unprecedented powers to define and limit speech, with limited parliamentary or judicial oversight”.
These complaints are likely what Ms Truss is cautious of when it comes to passing the bill.
