Most significantly, peers and MPs said in their report on the draft bill, which was published in May, that it must be clearer about what content is illegal. They also proposed expanding the scope of the bill to include online flashing, paid-for scam and fraudulent advertising, content promoting self-harm, and deliberately sending flashing images to people with photosensitive epilepsy.
The report proposed that pornographic sites should have a statutory duty to keep children away, whether or not they host user-to-user content.
It recommended that Ofcom, which will be assigned responsibility for regulating the sector, should be given more powers to investigate, audit, and fine technology companies. Ofcom should also draft mandatory codes of practice for ISPs with named senior managers at firms designated as “safety controller” and made liable if a service is found to fail to protect users, the committee concluded.
Additionally, it suggested recommending...