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Online Safety Bill sparks privacy worries
by cityam
JESS JONES and The Northern Echo have said the nation’s licence fee-funded broadcaster needs to ‘be a better neighbour’ and rethink its plans to grow as a digital local news provider. News Media Association chief executive Owen Meredith has said he fears local journalism could be “irreparably harmed” by the plans.
THE DRAFT Online Safety Bill (OSB) has sparked security and online privacy concerns according to a new survey – although Ofcom has brushed off the scrutiny.
Under the new OSB, which is in its final stages of passing through parliament, authorities could force communication providers like Whatsapp to scan online messages sent in the UK in order to detect criminal activity.
Will Cathcart, head of Whatsapp at Meta, hit back at the plans.
“People want their messages to remain private and secure. Whatsapp will not weaken the security we provide,” he said.
An Ofcom spokesperson said the watchdog “will not review all harmful online messages sent in the UK or have an open back door into online conversations.”
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