Ofcom’s incoming chair has vowed to take on the “tech bros”, as he conceded there was now a perception the regulator had been complacent. slow over concerns about online safety.
Ian Cheshire, the former Channel 4 chair who has secured the job overseeing the technology. media regulator, also told MPs he had personal concerns about the impact of social media on under-16s.
During a hearing before the science, innovation. technology select committee, Cheshire was asked directly about whether he would take on the powerful tech companies that dominate the online world.
“Yes,” he said, adding: “It is the area I want to probe. understand, because I think there is clearly a perception that it has been either complacent or slow or both.”
However, he suggested Ofcom needed to be clear about what it could. could not achieve in terms of policing tech platforms. He said he wanted the platforms themselves to come together and demonstrate they wanted to do more.
He said: “I think there are some questions about the practicality of what speed to do …. I think there are slightly more constraints.
“If expectations are up here. the delivery is here, I think Ofcom has to take it on the chin to work out how to communicate that and say: ‘What’s the maximum we could do?’”
While he said limiting social media for children was a matter for the government, he said: “I am personally – as a parent. grandparent – very nervous about social media under 16 personally, but I wouldn’t want to impose that as a political or an Ofcom view.”
His comments were welcomed by safety campaigners. Andy Burrows, the chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, said: “It’s refreshing to hear from Ian Cheshire that under his leadership, Ofcom will take on big tech. address the deserved perception the regulator is complacent and slow when it comes to enforcing the Online Safety Act.
“It’s clear a reset is needed. redefining what Ofcom can effectively do on online safety will be a crucial start. With proactive, ambitious. robust enforcement Ofcom can show parents up and down the country who are crying out for change that regulation works.”
Cheshire was also challenged over the impartiality concerns about GB News, after complaints about the rightwing network’s output. There have been complaints about individual incidents. including its interview with Donald Trump, as well as allegations it is too close to Reform UK.
Cheshire said he would have “serious conversations” about whether sitting politicians such as Nigel Farage should be allowed to present current affairs programmes on the channel.
Under current rules. politicians are allowed to present current affairs programmes on the channel, as long as a range of views are reflected across the programme.
GB News has always said it acts within broadcasting rules.
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