MPs' committee supports FCA call for Online Safety Bill to cover internet ads

'The Wild West online'

Ayesha Venkataraman
clock • 3 min read

The Joint Committee on the draft Online Safety Bill has recommended major changes to its scope, including tackling harmful advertising such as scam adverts, the inclusion of which in the bill was also called for by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

A report by the Joint Committee has set out a series of recommendations to bring more offences within the bill's ambit, and empower Ofcom to set minimum safety standards for regulated services alongside enforcement actions against those who fail to comply. "The Committee were unanimous in their conclusion that we need to call time on the Wild West online," said Damian Collins MP, chair of the Joint Committee on the draft Online Safety Bill. "What's illegal offline should be regulated online. For too long, big tech has gotten away with being the land of the lawless. A lack of regulation o...

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