Furious MPs order social media giants including Facebook to adopt 'no tolerance approach' to online abuse or face curbs

SOCIAL media giants have been warned they'll face new curbs if they don't adopt a "no tolerance approach" to online abuse.

Furious Tory MPs have ordered them to enforce compulsory ID for opening accounts and lifetime bans for repeated hate speech.

More than 50 backbenchers have signed a letter warning firms their "inaction" means they've become "enablers of abuse".

They've spoken out amid growing pressure for a crackdown on online hate following the murder of Sir David Amess.

The letter, penned by Meriden MP Saqib Bhatti, has been sent to the bosses of Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Reddit, and TikTok.

It says: "There are those who use social media and online platforms to commit abhorrent abuse in the knowledge that little or no action will be taken against them.

"Despite numerous calls for change, it is our view that insufficient steps are being taken to address this.

"Abuse which is not tolerated in the physical world is being allowed to fester in the online world."

Most read in Politics

IN FOR A PENNY

Defence Sec DENIES claims Boris intervened to save Pen Farthing and pets

PM'S D-DAY

Boris Johnson insists he WON'T quit over Partygate in dramatic PMQs

ON THE UP

Figures reveal investor confidence in Britain has hit a record high

LIZ WOOS INDIA

Post-Brexit trade deal with India could be bigger than agreement with USA

MPs highlight the "abhorrent racist abuse" of England footballers after Euro 2020 and threats targeted at women.

They warn: "Sadly, if you are in public life, whether it be as a sportsperson or a politician, you are seen as 'fair game'."

They're calling for a "three strikes and you're out" policy and a widening of what's considered racist to include slurs like monkey emojis.

The letter has been signed by 51 Tory MPs including ex Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom and former Work and Pensions Secretary Stephen Crabb.

    Source: Read Full Article