Social media bosses warned as Ofcom demands action to tackle surge of hate

SOCIAL media bosses were warned last night as Ofcom demanded immediate action to tackle the surge of online hate.

Britain’s media watchdog blasted platforms for not doing enough to protect users from harmful videos.

In an open letter, the regulator reminded them stricter rules under the Online Safety Act are just a few months away. But it added: “There is no need to wait to make your sites and apps safer for users.”

Government figures blasted major firms for failing to stop hate and incitement of violence.

The Sun yesterday called on sites including Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok to “clean up the social media sewer”.

MPs also called for more government action.

Former Home Secretary Dame Priti Patel said: “Misinformation is undermining the police’s attempt at quelling the horrific violence and disorder.

“That is why Parliament must be recalled, so MPs can scrutinise the Government’s work to stop misleading online content and understand how they are cooperating with social media.”

Meanwhile, app Telegram has pledged to remove all posts and channels inciting thuggery.

The encrypted messaging service will use proactive monitor servers, while also making use of AI detection tools.

One server with 15,000 members listed the targets for last night’s demos, before being removed on Sunday.

The National Security Online Information Team will be assessing social media amid the riots. 

It has experience monitoring anti-lockdown campaigners.