Facebook slammed by UK government

(Image credit: Shutterstock) (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Facebook is in need of far stricter regulation due to its inability to stop the spread of fake news, and also for failing to keep user data private, a government report has said.

The declaration by the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee follows a year-long investigation into Facebook's failings, and recommends that the UK puts far stricter restrictions on the social media giant immediately.

Although focusing on several other companies, including Google and YouTube, the report called out Facebook for specific criticism, particularly over its failings to stop the spread of 'disinformation'.

Facebook data privacy

"Democracy is at risk from the malicious and relentless targeting of citizens with disinformation and personalised 'dark adverts' from unidentifiable sources, delivered through the major social media platforms we use every day," the report's conclusion read.

"The big tech companies are failing in the duty of care they owe to their users to act against harmful content, and to respect their data privacy rights."

Facebook's links to discredited firm Cambridge Analytica came under particular scrutiny, with the site criticised for its lax handling of users' private data. The site was fined £500,000 by the ICO last year, the maximum penalty under GDPR law, for mishandling user data in the scandal.

The committee report claimed this point to be a "radical shift in the balance of power between social media platforms and the people" and recommended greater regulation on Facebook's gathering of personal information.

It called for a compulsory code of ethics for tech companies, overseen by an independent regulator, social media companies to be forced to take down known sources of harmful content, including proven sources of disinformation, and for tech companies operating in the UK to be taxed to help fund the work for the Information Commissioner's Office and any new regulator set up to oversee them.

In response, Facebook said it welcomed the report's findings, and said it would be amenable to "meaningful regulation".

"We share the committee's concerns about false news and election integrity and are pleased to have made a significant contribution to their investigation over the past 18 months, answering more than 700 questions and with four of our most senior executives giving evidence," the company said.

We have already made substantial changes so that every political ad on Facebook has to be authorised, state who is paying for it and then is stored in a searchable archive for seven years. No other channel for political advertising is as transparent and offers the tools that we do."

Mike Moore
Deputy Editor, TechRadar Pro

Mike Moore is Deputy Editor at TechRadar Pro. He has worked as a B2B and B2C tech journalist for nearly a decade, including at one of the UK's leading national newspapers and fellow Future title ITProPortal, and when he's not keeping track of all the latest enterprise and workplace trends, can most likely be found watching, following or taking part in some kind of sport.

Latest in Security
Hacker silhouette working on a laptop with North Korean flag on the background
North Korea unveils new military unit targeting AI attacks
An image of network security icons for a network encircling a digital blue earth.
US government warns agencies to make sure their backups are safe from NAKIVO security issue
Laptop computer displaying logo of WordPress, a free and open-source content management system (CMS)
This top WordPress plugin could be hiding a worrying security flaw, so be on your guard
Computer Hacked, System Error, Virus, Cyber attack, Malware Concept. Danger Symbol
Veeam urges users to patch security issues which could allow backup hacks
UK Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer
The UK releases timeline for migration to post-quantum cryptography
Representational image depecting cybersecurity protection
Cisco smart licensing system sees critical security flaws exploited
Latest in News
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #1154)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #385)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 23 (game #651)
Google Pixel 9 Pro Fold main display opened
Apple is rumored to be prioritizing battery life on the foldable iPhone – which could also feature a liquid metal hinge for added durability
Google Pixel 9
The Google Pixel 10 just showed up in Android code – and may come with a useful speed boost
L-mount alliance
Sirui joins L-Mount Alliance to deliver its superb budget lenses for Leica, DJI, Sigma and Panasonic cameras