London is urging the development of technology to scan encrypted messages to stop child abuse.
Technology minister Michelle Donelan has denied that the UK’s Online Safety Bill had been watered down before it became law.
LONDON: The UK will require social media companies to take action to stop child abuse on their platforms, and if necessary work to develop technology to scan encrypted messages as a last resort, technology minister Michelle Donelan said today. Platforms including Meta’s WhatsApp and Signal have been fighting the UK’s Online Safety Bill, which is currently being scrutinised by lawmakers because they say it could threaten the end-to-end encryption that underpins their messaging services.
Junior minister Stephen Parkinson appeared to concede ground to the tech companies’ arguments yesterday, saying in parliament’s upper chamber that the Ofcom communications regulator would only require them to scan content where “technically feasible”.Donelan, however, denied today that the bill had been watered down in the final stages before it became law.
She said further work to develop the technology was needed, but added that government-funded research had shown it was possible.
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