Ofcom announces new rules for tech firms to protect children online

Social media platforms and websites will be legally required to protect children from accessing harmful content online or risk facing fines, the communications watchdog has said.Ofcom has published new regulations - known as the Children's Codes- that will require tech firms to instate age verification checks and change algorithm rcommendations to continue operating in the UK.Sites must adhere to the standards by 25 July. Any site which hosts pornography, or content which encourages self-harm, suicide or eating disorders must have robust age checks in place to protect children from accessing that content.Ofcom boss Dame Melanie Dawes says the codes will create "safer social media feeds".
Some critics however say the restrictions don't go far enough, calling it a "bitter pill for bereaved parents to swallow". Ian Russell, Chair of the Molly Rose Foundation, which was set up in honour of his daughter who took her own life aged 14, said he was "dismayed by the lack of ambition" in the codes.But Prof Victoria Baines, a former safety officer at Facebook told the BBC it is "a step in the right direction".Talking to BBC Radio 4's Today Programme on Thursday, she said: "Big tech companies are really getting to grips with it , so they are putting money behind it, and more importantly they're putting people behind it."Under the Codes, algorithms must also be configured to filter out harmful content from children's feeds and recommendations.As well as the age checks, there will also be more streamlined reporting and complaints systems, and platforms will be required to take faster action in assessing and tackling harmful content when they are made aware if it.All platforms must also have a "named person accountable for children's safety", and the management of risk to children should be reviewed annually by a senior body.If companies fail to abide by the regulations put to them by 24 July, Ofcom said it has "the power to impose fines and – in very serious cases – apply for a court order to prevent the site or app from being available in the UK."

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Daily Mirror

an hour ago

• Daily Mirror

Major fashion brand loved by Brits bans thousands of shoppers

Online fashion giant ASOS left customers feeling "hurt" after they sent emails warning them that their accounts had been closed with "immediate effect" after breaching the site's terms Thousands of ASOS customers are facing account closures as the online fashion giant takes a tough stance on those abusing one company policy. The company has begun informing customers that their accounts have been shut down with "immediate effect". The move comes as ASOS enforces its Fair Use Policy, with emails being sent out to those who are said to have violated the terms. On social media platform X, one shopper expressed their dismay: "Account closed for consistent breaches of their [ASOS] Fair Use policy when I haven't returned anything since October." ‌ Another baffled customer shared: " I haven't shopped with ASOS in over a year and I still get an email telling me my account is being closed." A third customer lamented: "ASOS have really hurt me today closing my account what did I do?" ‌ One customer, feeling unfairly treated, remarked: "I've made three orders in the last six months and from those orders sent back only one pair of jeans," adding, "This is a joke, I've been a loyal customer for years and now you close my account", reports Birmingham Live. An ASOS spokesperson defended the decision, stating: "We recently closed the accounts of a small group of customers whose shopping activity has consistently fallen outside our Fair Use policy." They further justified the action by saying: "This helps us maintain our commitment to offering free returns to all customers across all core markets." Help us improve our content by completing the survey below. We'd love to hear from you! The new policy is an escalation of ASOS's commitment to cracking down on returns. In September 2024, the company angered customers when it i mplemented a fee for certain returns. The September rule meant customers who were deemed to have a "frequently high return rate" were hit with a charge for not keeping a certain amount of their order. ‌ Such customers had £3.95 deducted from their refund if they keep less than £40 worth of items. At the time, ASOS has not shared what constituted a high return rate, but claimed "nothing's changed" for the majority of its customers. "We're making this change so that we can continue offering free returns to all our customers," the company told the BBC. "For a small group of UK customers with a frequently high return rate whose shopping habits make offering them unconditional free returns unsustainable, they can still get free returns when they keep £40 or more of their order." ‌ The retailer said customers signed up to ASOS Premier will get free returns if they keep at least £15 of their order. The recent crackdown also coincides with the launch of ASOS's new summer campaign - Summer, styled by ASOS - which aims to capture the essence of summer style by amalgamating the season's loudest trends in fashion, beauty, and culture. Livvy Thompson, Head of Marketing at ASOS, stated: "Summer, styled by ASOS is a bold celebration of summer style. We're bringing fashion, beauty, and culture together in a fresh and immersive way - a true reflection of what our customers love about this season. "This campaign is about more than just shopping; it's about bringing the summer energy to London, creating unforgettable moments and inspiring our community to show up as their most confident, expressive selves."

Scottish Sun

2 hours ago

• Scottish Sun

Why your pics, texts and money are in danger after major ‘data leak' even if your info wasn't exposed

Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) DON'T fall foul of a common scam after reports of a major online leak – even if you haven't had any private info exposed. Just last week, security experts said they'd uncovered as many as 16 billion leaked nuggets of personal info linked to popular apps and websites. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Cyber-criminals will hope to take advantage of the news around a 'data leak' Credit: Alamy These reportedly included leaked logins – private usernames and passwords belonging to unsuspecting users. Security experts have debated over how "new" the info in the databases is – but one thing is certain: there's plenty of personal data circulating online. Chances are, at least some of your info will have been exposed over the years through a combination of breaches and leaks. But even if your data hasn't been exposed, this latest "database leak" still spells trouble for your online security, experts have told The Sun. That's because when there's news of a big "leak" like this, cybercriminals often target web users with related scams. Rik Ferguson, the VP of security intelligence at Forescout, told The Sun that this "opens the floodgates for scammers". "Honestly, it doesn't even matter that the data itself is mostly old, recycled, or even completely made up," Rik told The Sun. "The headline grabs attention, it spreads fast, and that's all the cybercriminals really need. "What we'll see now, almost guaranteed, is a wave of social engineering, things like fake tech support calls, emails claiming your accounts are compromised, texts that urge you to click a link "right now" to secure or update something." He added: "Cybercriminals don't need fresh data; they just need fresh worry. This kind of news gives them a credible excuse to contact people out of the blue, sounding plausible and urgent. Deepfakes more 'sophisticated' and dangerous than ever as AI expert warns of six upgrades that let them trick your eyes "So, the best advice is to slow down, take a breath. Treat unsolicited contact (or scare stories from well-meaning friends on Facebook) with a solid dose of cynicism. "Your first response might be to react quickly, especially if the message is laced with urgency or fear. But that urgency is the oldest trick in the book. Scammers rely on pressure. "They want you anxious, flustered, or off balance. They want you to be doing, not thinking. If someone's telling you to act immediately, that's your cue to pause." For instance, you might see tech support scams or "infected computer" warnings. Criminals will be hoping that you're worried enough about the news of a leak that you might act without thinking – clicking on a dodgy link or calling a number because you're worried about your cybersecurity. For instance, after the Marks & Spencer cybersecurity incident, experts warned of the danger of crooks taking advantage of the confusion around the attack. "Stay vigilant for phishing messages pretending to be from M&S or other companies you've dealt with," said NCC Group threat intelligence head Matt Hull. A similar warning came from Check Point's Charlotte Wilson, who said: "We often see a spike in phishing emails, fake delivery texts and scam calls after breaches like this, particularly when order history or usernames are involved." 3 Crooks often use tech support scams to install dangerous apps on your device Credit: Alamy And the same advice is true for this latest news: it's a prime chance for crooks to trick concerned users into making a mistake. "Discoveries like this breach are a pertinent reminder of just how easy it is for sensitive data to be unintentionally exposed online," said Keeper Security chief Darren Guccione. He added: "When login data is left unprotected, it can provide fuel for phishing attacks, account takeovers and identity fraud." But some experts suggested there wasn't any major reason to panic. Brian Higgins, of Comparitech, told The Sun: 'The data referenced in the media is an amalgamation of several previously reported incidents. 'So it's reasonable to expect that any users affected should have been aware of the problem and taken action when the individual threats were first identified "The knee-jerk headlines may well fuel a slight uptick in activity from unscrupulous vendors or cyber criminal organisations. 'There's a possibility some may exploit the fact that the data has been collected in a single repository, for example. Still, since it's not a new breach and the facts are slowly becoming clearer, it's doubtful any major impact will ensue." HOW TO SPOT THE SIGNS OF A TECH SUPPORT SCAM Tech support scams can work in several different ways. But they all have the same end goal: to scoop up your info, put dangerous "malware" on your devices, or steal your money. You might receive a message over text or email – or even a phone call – saying that your device has been compromised. DON'T PANIC – BUT ACT FAST Here's advice from The Sun's tech editor Sean Keach... This is a massive breach of privacy – it's not the first, and it won't be the last. There's no surefire way for you to avoid being caught up in an attack like this, and you can't take back the info now it's out there. But what you can do is safeguard yourself against sinister crooks using this info against you. Step 1 The main fear here is that criminals have bagged a load of passwords. That's why you need to switch on two-factor authentication on every account that you have. Normally that's a login code that is sent to you via SMS text. They prevent crooks from logging into your account even if they know your password. Step 2 Even better, don't bother with SMS and use a proper authenticator – like the Google Authenticator, a free app that you can download right now. This generates the same kind of log-in code, but it's safer than SMS, which is an old and more easily-hacked system. Step 3 Also, make absolutely sure that you're not re-using passwords anywhere. If crooks have one password and you've re-used it, they now have access to several of your accounts. Use a password manager like your iPhone's iCloud Keychain or the Google Password Manager. They will generate strong and unique passwords for all of your accounts – and then remember them so you don't have to. Picture Credit: Sean Keach And you'll be asked to hand over a log in, install some kind of security software, or making a tech support payment. Depending on what you hand over, you could find your online accounts broken into, your bank balance wiped out, or your computer spied on. Once a crook breaks into your accounts or device, they can potentially spy on your texts or photos, make purchases, and so much more – so not falling for scams is extremely important. Never hand over any info or money to someone who has contacted you out of the blue. If they're claiming that they're from a reputable organisation – like Microsoft or Apple – then you'll want to contact the company directly using the number on their official website. Don't use any contact info that you've been sent by a stranger, as it's easily faked. "Whether it's an email that looks like it's from your bank, a text pretending to be your delivery service, or a call claiming to be tech support, the smart move is always the same, don't respond directly, go to the source," Rik told The Sun. "Log in via the official website, not a link you received out of the blue. Call the company back on a number you already know or can find on their website. "Or just check in with someone you trust, a quick gut-check with a colleague or friend can save you a whole world of pain." If someone is rushing you into making a decision, especially when private info or money is involved, then that's a major red flag that something is amiss. Reputable cybersecurity and tech companies won't just text you out of the blue to tell you that you've been hacked and need to pay a fee. And if they're asking you to click a link to install an app on your machine, that's a clear warning sign that they're trying to compromise your device. If you ever install any cybersecurity software, do so by going to the official website of a reputable company. Don't install anything sent to you by a stranger – it's dangerous. HOW TO SEE IF YOU'VE BEEN CAUGHT UP IN A LEAK If you're worried that you've been caught up in a breach, there's an easy way to check. Go to the website HaveIBeenPwned here. This website tracks lists of leaks and breaches over the years. 3 The HaveIBeenPwned website can reveal if your email address has been caught up in a data leak Credit: HaveIBeenPwned / The Sun And you can enter your email address to see if it's been caught up in any. You'll be able to see the exact leak that your email was exposed in, as well as any linked data – like an address, phone number, or password. The website will also send you alerts when your email address is found in another leak or breach. That way, you can quickly react and change your password, add two-factor authentication (like a text code) for logging in, and locking down your accounts.

Daily Mail​

3 hours ago

• Daily Mail​

The BBC newsreader who stood up for women: Martine Croxall wins new fans over 'pregnant people' correction - but has always been proud rights campaigner

JK Rowling 's favourite BBC newsreader has won global praise after she rejected woke gender-neutral language live on air - but it is not the first time she has stuck her neck out for women on screen. Martine Croxall, 56, has won a legion of new fans after she dismissed an autocue line instructing her to say 'pregnant people', replacing it with 'women' instead. Ms Croxall has said thanks to JK Rowling and her other supporters following the extraordinary TV moment during a live BBC News broadcast, which has now made headlines around the world. 'A huge thank you to everyone who has chosen to follow me today for whatever reason. It's been quite a ride', the married mother-of-two tweeted last night. Martine has supported women on TV before - and behind the scenes also stood up with female colleagues in their fight for equal pay at the corporation. Famously she also got tough with a transgender wannabe politician who said she felt attacked when Ms Croxall questioned her claim that the Supreme Court's April ruling that trans women are legally male and trans men are legally female might need further 'clarification'. There have also been lighter moments, including when she winked and joked that she was a 'beautiful creature' and also the times she was wasn't in her seat as cameras began rolling. She also appeared tearful when she announced the death of Prince Philip in 2021. Heather Herbert, a trans campaigner and former Labour MSP candidate, provoked a furious response from Croxall after declaring: 'I feel like I'm under attack' when they discussed the Supreme Court's ruling on gender In April the broadcaster was praised when she challenged a transgender activist who claimed the Supreme Court 's ruling that the definition of a woman is based on biological sex may still need 'clarification'. The BBC veteran firmly told ex-Labour MSP candidate Heather Herbert that the landmark ruling made it clear 'sex is binary and immutable'. Leicestershire-born Ms Croxall repeatedly challenged Herbert after she called for further 'clarification' on single sex spaces, at one point reminding her: 'The ruling is that woman means biological sex.' She spearheaded a legal case against the BBC over pay, with the corporation settling the case in March. Martine, Karin Giannone, Kasia Madera and Annita McVeigh launched an employment tribunal against the BBC in a bombshell case, which included the claim they had not been paid equally compared with their male counterparts. All four claimed they lost their roles on the BBC News Channel following a 'rigged' recruitment exercise when it was merged with BBC World. The case was settled by the BBC in the spring of this year. The row meant the women were all off for 12 months, which Martine chronicled on social media. Instead of being in the studio she enjoyed trips to Mexico, Bulgaria and Thailand. During her time off, she went swimming with whale sharks and sea lions in the Gulf of California, zipwired over a canyon in Mexico and fed elephants at a sanctuary in Phuket. That's on top of taking a hot balloon over the pyramids in Mexico and venturing on two ski trips, including one where she was seen relaxing in a massive hot tub after spending a day on the slopes. Croxall joined the corporation in 1991 following work experience with her local station, BBC Radio Leicester. She grew up in the countryside, attending an independent school before graduating from the University of Leeds. In 2022, she was briefly taken off air after breaking the corporation's impartiality rules. The blunder happened on October 23 after Boris Johnson ran out of the leadership contest that Rishi Sunak went on to win. During the Sunday night edition of The Papers, where press members discuss the main stories of the day, she said in the wake of Johnson's departure: 'Well this is all very exciting, isn't it? Am I allowed to be this gleeful? Well I am.' Later in the show she also admitted that she was 'probably breaking' some of the BBC's impartiality rules when she laughed at Tony Grew's mocking of Johnson. The corporation later ruled that Croxall had made 'several remarks and reactions' that caused 'significant risk' that the audience could believe 'opinions were being expressed' on the Conservative leadership race. She returned to air after 11 days off. Following the death of Prince Philip, Ms Croxall was close to tears as she interrupted the broadcast to break the news to the country. Now she is in the headlines again after standing up for women. The clip from a recent BBC News episode saw Ms Croxall introduce new research on the number of heat-related deaths expected amid Britain's current heatwave. But as the autocue prompted her to warn 'pregnant people' to take care in the heat, she first read the term out before overriding it, with a smirk and eyebrow raise. She said: 'Malcolm Mistry, who was involved in the research, said the aged, pregnant people - women! - and those with pre-existing health conditions need to take precautions.' Ms Rowling reposted the clip on X, captioning it: 'I have a new favourite BBC presenter.' It is understood the phrase 'pregnant people' was the term used in the research the presenter was reporting on, rather than the BBC having written it. Ms Croxall herself soon responded to a commenter who had praised her move as 'brilliant' by saying: 'I hope you don't get hauled before the BBC News beak.' The broadcaster simply replied: 'Braced x.' The original clip was first reposted to X by campaign group SEEN In Journalism, which says it 'seeks to restore accuracy and impartiality to media coverage of sex and gender'. They captioned their post, 'Good to see accuracy on BBC News', followed by an emoji of a pregnant woman.