The internet has brought huge opportunities, connecting the world as never before. The ‘digital world’—an environment composed of digital services facilitated by the internet—plays an ever-increasing role in all aspects of life. However, regulation of the digital world has not kept pace with its role in our lives. Although it is not a lawless ‘Wild West’, a large volume of activity occurs online which would not normally be tolerated offline. Misuse of personal data, abuse and hateful speech make the case for further regulation compelling.
Self-regulation by online platforms which host user-generated content, including social media platforms, is failing. Their moderation processes are unacceptably opaque and slow. We recommend that online services which host user-generated content should be subject to a statutory duty of care and that Ofcom should have responsibility for enforcing this duty of care, particularly in respect of children and the vulnerable in society.
Public opinion is growing increasingly intolerant of the abuses which big tech companies have failed to eliminate.
Over a dozen regulators have a remit covering the digital world. But there is no overall regulator.
Regulation of the digital environment is fragmented with overlaps and gaps. Notably, there is little specific content regulator for the internet.
We recommend that a set of 10 principles, including accountability, transparency, respect for privacy and freedom of expression, should underpin the development and implementation of regulation
We recommend the development of a comprehensive and holistic strategy for regulation.
We recommend a new body, which we call the Digital Authority, be established to instruct and coordinate regulators.
The digital world has become dominated by a small number of very large companies.
These companies enjoy a substantial advantage, operating with an unprecedented knowledge of users and other businesses.
Without intervention the largest tech companies are likely to gain more control of technologies which disseminate media content, extract data from the home and individuals or make decisions affecting people's lives.
The design of online services affects what users see and how they behave. A prominent business model of the internet involves capturing users’ attention to collect their data and advertise to them.
We argue that there should be greater transparency when data are collected and greater choice to allow users to control which data are taken.