Online safety bill needs tougher rules on misogyny, say peers

Tougher rules are needed to target misogyny online as part of the online safety bill, a group of peers has said.

Under the online safety bill, which is being finalised, social media firms will be legally required to abide by their terms and conditions, which generally bar misogynistic abuse. Failure to enforce them will result in fines and their services could be blocked by Ofcom, the online watchdog.

The amendment would give Ofcom the power to fine social media companies up to 10% of their global turnover if they failed to abide by a code outlawing online misogyny.

The Labour party is expected to back the amendment.