Ofcom publishes new guidance for better protections from harmful online videos
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People who use online video-sharing sites and apps should be better
protected from harmful content, as Ofcom issues new guidance for
tech companies today. Video-sharing platforms (VSPs) are a type of
online video service where users can upload and share videos with
other members of the public. They allow people to engage with a
wide range of content and social features. VSPs established in the
UK – such as TikTok, Snapchat, Vimeo and Twitch – are required by
law to take...Request free trial
People who use online video-sharing sites and apps should be better protected from harmful content, as Ofcom issues new guidance for tech companies today. Video-sharing platforms (VSPs) are a type of online video service where users can upload and share videos with other members of the public. They allow people to engage with a wide range of content and social features. VSPs established in the UK – such as TikTok, Snapchat, Vimeo and Twitch – are required by law to take measures to protect under-18s from potentially harmful video content; and all users from videos likely to incite violence or hatred, as well as certain types of criminal content. Ofcom research shows that a third of users say they have witnessed or experienced hateful content; a quarter claim they’ve been exposed to violent or disturbing content; while one in five have been exposed to videos or content that encouraged racism.[1] Today’s best practice guidance is designed to help companies understand their new obligations and judge how best to protect their users from this kind of harmful material. We have already begun discussing with platforms what their responsibilities are, and what they are doing to comply with them.[2] What platforms should do to protect users Ofcom’s job is to enforce the rules set out in legislation and hold VSPs to account. Unlike in our broadcasting work, our role is not to assess individual videos. And the massive volume of online content means it is impossible to prevent every instance of harm. Instead, the laws focus on the measures providers must take, as appropriate, to protect their users – and afford companies flexibility in how they do that. To help them meet their obligations to protect users, our guidance sets an expectation that VSPs should:
Plans and priorities for the year ahead One of our five priorities for the year ahead – as set out in our workplan – is to work with VSPs to reduce the risk of child sexual abuse material. The Internet Watch Foundation reported a 77% increase in the amount of “self-generated” abuse content in 2020. Adult VSPs carry a heightened risk of child sexual abuse material and the rise in direct-to-fans subscription sites specialising in user-generated adult content has potentially made this risk more pronounced. Given this heightened risk, we expect that VSPs’ creator registration processes and subsequent checks are strong enough to significantly reduce the risk of child sexual abuse material being uploaded and shared on their platforms. Over the next 12 months we will also prioritise: tackling online hate and terror; ensuring an age-appropriate experience on platforms popular with under-18s; laying the foundations for age verification on adult sites; and ensuring VSPs’ processes for reporting harmful content are effective. Our approach to enforcement and reporting We will take a rigorous but fair approach to our new duties. As for TV and radio, we will balance protecting people from harm, with rights to freedom of expression. If we find a VSP provider has breached its obligations to take appropriate measures to protect users, we have the power to investigate and take action against a platform. This could include fines, requiring the provider to take specific action, or – in the most serious cases – suspending or restricting the service. We also have a broad range of new powers to collect information from providers about what they are doing to tackle user safety on their services. In autumn next year, we will publish a first-of-its-kind report providing transparency for users and the wider public on the steps VSPs are taking to protect children and other users from harm. Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom Chief Executive, said: “Online videos play a huge role in our lives now, particularly for children. But many people see hateful, violent or inappropriate material while using them. “The platforms where these videos are shared now have a legal duty to take steps to protect their users. So we’re stepping up our oversight of these tech companies, while also gearing up for the task of tackling a much wider range of online harms in the future.” End Contact:
Harry Rippon Notes to editors:
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