Rishi Sunak is confronted with a significant backbench revolt against the government’s measures to restrict dangerous online content.
Thirty-six Tory MPs support a plan to imprison social media executives who fail to protect youngsters from harmful information online.
Their Online Safety Bill amendment is scheduled for a vote the following week.
Under Boris Johnson, the notion was proposed but ultimately rejected in favor of stiffer penalties for businesses.
The rebellion follows several substantial backbench revolts on council housing targets and limits on onshore wind farms in recent weeks.
To avoid defeat in the House of Commons, the prime minister yielded and made concessions on each of these concerns.
Senior management at technology companies may face up to two years in prison under the rebels’ demands if they violate new responsibilities to keep children safe online. The provision is inapplicable to search engines.
Child security
These responsibilities include implementing “proportionate measures” to prevent children from viewing hazardous materials, including age verification, content removal, and parental controls.
Currently, the plan would only make managers legally accountable for failing to provide information to the media regulator Ofcom, which will get broad new powers to regulate the internet under the new legislation.
Companies that violate their legal obligations, such as protecting children, might be punished with up to 10 percent of their global revenue.
However, proponents of the proposal, including child protection organizations, claim that only the personal culpability of firm executives will assure the effectiveness of the child safety rules.
The construction and financial services industries have comparable personal liabilities for firm managers, according to Tory rebels.
‘Toothless’
Miriam Cates, a prominent Tory dissident, told that the group met with Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan earlier this week. And politicians recognize the “strength of opinion” regarding the subject.
She noted that they were receptive to government concessions. But that any suggestion to amend the law would have to retain managers’ culpability.
The dissident Tory amendment is supported by Labour. It indicates that the government, which has a working majority of 68, is in grave danger of losing power.
The party has proposed similar revisions throughout the legislative process for the measure. Lucy Powell, the shadow culture secretary for the Labour Party, has previously stated that a lack of criminal liability for social network executives would render Ofcom “toothless.”
Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith and other former ministers. Including former home secretary Priti Patel, also support the plan.
The Online Safety Bill was presented by Mr. Johnson in March and has undergone numerous amendments throughout its passage through Congress.
The bill’s advancement was halted last month after the government chose to amend it further.
The bill is scheduled to return to the House of Commons on Tuesday. Following which it will likely undergo a long journey through the House of Lords.
