The UK’s Online Safety Bill, now on the brink of becoming law, is set to cast a stern gaze on metaverse platforms. This landmark legislation, lauded as the most potent child protection law in a generation, is designed to ensure the online safety of children.
Metaverse platforms will face rigorous scrutiny, with stringent penalties for non-compliance, particularly concerning illegal content.
The Bill mandates swift action on illicit content, making social media platforms accountable for the material they host. Non-compliance could result in fines of billions of pounds, with company executives potentially facing prison time. These provisions also extend to the metaverse.
A key aspect of the Bill is the enforcement of age-checking measures. They aim this move at preventing children from accessing harmful and age-inappropriate content.
Read more: Why Do We Need Open Protocols in the Metaverse?
Platforms will also need to publish transparent risk assessments that highlight the potential dangers children might encounter.
“The Online Safety Bill is a game-changing piece of legislation,” stated Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan. She continued:
“Our common-sense approach will deliver a better future for British people, by making sure that what is illegal offline is illegal online.”
Growing Popularity Equals Growing Scrutiny
The Bill’s passage comes at a time when the metaverse is under scrutiny from global regulators. EU Commissioner Yvo Volman recently emphasized the need for metaverse regulations to prevent discrimination and protect user privacy.
Highlighting the EU’s focus on user safety in the metaverse, Volman said:
“We need to get it right from the start.”
The Online Safety Bill, with its zero-tolerance approach to protecting children, is a significant step forward in the quest to make the internet a safer space. As the metaverse continues to evolve, this legislation serves as a critical reminder that the safety of users, particularly children, must remain the top priority.
In the words of NSPCC Chief Executive Sir Peter Wanless,
“Tech companies can now seize the opportunity to embrace safety by design.”
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