Tom
Watson, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and
Sport,
commenting on accusations the Conservatives have rolled back on manifesto
commitments on internet safety, said:
“The
Culture Secretary seems to have bowed to pressure from the social media giants
before her strategy had even been published.
“The
Tories made a clear and unambiguous promise in their manifesto to bring forward
legislation to compel social media providers and other internet firms to pay a
levy – but it’s now been watered down to a voluntary levy. We know from the
gambling industry that a voluntary system allows companies to ignore their
responsibilities and to underpay. Karen Bradley should keep her promise and
make sure the tech giants do the right thing.
“They
have had nearly a decade to deal with these issues and failed. I find it hard
to believe a voluntary code will change much. They may evade appropriate
regulation from the Tories but they should know that a future Labour government
will not succumb to their lobbying power.“
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