UK, France to tackle online extremism

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) - The U.K. and France are to introduce stronger measures against tech companies which fail to remove extremist content, the British government said on Tuesday.

The statement came ahead of Prime Minister Theresa May’s visit to Paris to meet President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday.

Ahead of talks which are expected to focus on counterterrorism, the U.K. has said the joint campaign would aim at ensuring “the internet cannot be used as a safe space for terrorists and criminals”.

Plans will “include exploring the possibility of creating a new legal liability for tech companies if they fail to remove content,” and “penalties such as fines for companies that fail to take action”.

“The counter-terrorism cooperation between British and French intelligence agencies is already strong, but President Macron and I agree that more should be done to tackle the terrorist threat online,” May said.

May confirmed the two leaders would consider “creating a new legal liability” for tech companies which fail to remove “unacceptable” content.