As part of establishing a new bill required by the government, to improve online security, the UK threatens top tech executives with jail timeif they are withholding information from investigators.

Jail for top executives?

This text was recently presented to Parliament. This is another important step before the approval of the law. The UK has decided to go to great lengths to encourage tech giants to collaborate with competent authorities. In fact, under this bill, we understand that top executives of technology companies could face prison sentences. if they do not meet the requirements of the regulatorsin particular Ofcom (Federal Office of Communication), the equivalent of Arcom in the United Kingdom (the new French audiovisual policeman).

The latest bill presented to parliament a few days ago establishes that top executives will be subject to criminal proceedings only two months after the bill enters into force (instead of two years, as indicated above). Other crimes have also been added, including the deletion, destruction or alteration of the information requested in the context of investigations. Ofcom will also be able to fine non-compliant companies of up to 10% of their worldwide turnover or even block access to its services in the UK.

This bill is being debated in the UK.

The text is debated in the UK. According to Jim Killock, executive director of the Open Rights Group, “This legislation gives politicians too much power to decide what constitutes harmful content without scrutiny. It would be equivalent to censoring legal content with the sanction of the State”. Separately, some UK lawmakers involved in drafting the legislation have come under fire. due to lack of experience. This is particularly the case for curator Nadine Dorries, who is leading the project.

Many observers believe this bill uses vague language that will make it difficult to enforce and could encourage tech companies. preemptively censor users to avoid prosecution. This is particularly the case for content “legal but harmful”. Content that does not constitute a criminal offense (such as racist or abusive language) but that could have a “negative physical or psychological impact” in internet users. Technology platforms are encouraged to introduce new measures to reduce users’ exposure to such content.