Artificial intelligence chatbots could soon face the same legal restriction as social media platforms under plans outlined by the UK government to tighten online safety laws, as Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned technology firms they will be held accountable for illegal AI-generated content.
Under the proposals, providers of AI chatbots would be brought within the scope of the Online Safety Act 2023, meaning they must comply with the same obligations as social media companies to prevent illegal content or face enforcement action.
Ministers will launch a public consultation on whether to introduce a minimum age for social media access and restrict potentially addictive features such as infinite scrolling. Spain, Greece and Slovenia have explored similar restrictions after Australia became the first country to block under-16s from social media.
The government also intends to close what it describes as a legal loophole in the Online Safety Act that currently excludes one-to-one chatbot interactions from safety rules. The technology minister, Liz Kendall, said the gap must be addressed, warning that some children are forming relationships with AI systems that were not designed with child safety in mind.
Tighter restrictions
Under the plans, tech firms would be required to ensure their systems comply with British law. Ministers are also consulting on measures such as automatic data-preservation orders when a child dies, limits on “stranger pairing” in gaming and restrictions on sending or receiving nude images.
Starmer said the law must keep pace with rapidly evolving technology and that Britain should lead on online safety. Officials said they would act swiftly to make the online world safer as part of broader reforms that could include age limits, VPN usage curbs and data preservation measures for children’s accounts.
“We will not allow tech companies to wriggle out of responsibility for vile illegal content created by AI. The law must keep pace with the technology, and Britain should lead the world in keeping children safe online,” Starmer said.
Critics have welcomed the focus on child protection but warned enforcement could be challenging and that restrictions might push harmful behaviour to less regulated corners of the internet.
Experts said regulating AI would remain challenging due to the speed of technological change.
Laurence Murphy, senior lecturer in media technology at the University of Salford, said current legal frameworks are struggling to keep pace with rapidly evolving AI systems and stressed that accountability from companies is essential to ensure safeguards are effective.
“The updated approach to online safety laws, particularly around artificial intelligence, shows how complex and fast changing this area is. Legal safeguards need to ensure fair and safe use, but AI evolves rapidly, making oversight difficult," Murphy said.
He added that legal restrictions alone may not be enough to protect children from online harms as AI systems continue to develop.
"Accountability from companies is key, and while legal restrictions are important, they may not be the only solution to protect children and the public.”
The U.S. plans to seek the redirection of Iranian assets to Gulf states to help fund reconstruction and repairs for damage attributed to Iran, a sourc...
Armenia heads to the polls on 7 June in a key parliamentary vote seen as a test of its democratic reforms and future political direction. Prime Minist...
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships ...
At least a dozen people were wounded, two critically, on Saturday (6 June) in Toledo, Ohio, as two shooters traded gunfire, police said....
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has warned ahead of World Environment Day that Afghanistan's worsening water crisis is di...
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has warned ahead of World Environment Day that Afghanistan's worsening water crisis is disproportionately affecting women and girls, who bear much of the responsibility for securing water for their families.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al‑Zaidi will pay an official visit to the United States, bringing with him a delegation of business leaders, private‑sector representatives and banking officials, in an effort to boost investment and deepen economic ties with Washington.
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, newly independent Armenia emerged with the promise of democracy. But in the years that followed, conflicts and political assassinations sidetracked politics in the country, until a 2018 revolution restored momentum to the promise.
Armenia heads to the polls on 7 June in a key parliamentary vote seen as a test of its democratic reforms and future political direction. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is seeking re-election amid domestic polarisation, security challenges and regional diplomatic tensions.
Armenian authorities arrested six candidates from the pro-Russian Strong Armenia bloc on Saturday, one day before voters were due to take part in parliamentary elections.
More than 6,000 people gathered outside a vote-counting centre in Seoul on Friday night, demanding this week’s local elections be repeated after ballot shortages left some voters unable to cast their ballots.
Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry has confirmed the number of casualties its citizens suffered as a result of the 5 June drone attacks on the cargo ships Natra and Zircon in the Sea of Azov. In a statement, it said four Azerbaijani citizens were killed and four others were injured.
The U.S. said it struck Iranian radar sites on Qeshm Island and in Goruk after intercepting four drones, while Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they launches retaliatory strikes on four tankers in the Strait of Hormuz and targeted U.S. bases in the Gulf.
At least a dozen people were wounded, two critically, on Saturday (6 June) in Toledo, Ohio, as two shooters traded gunfire, police said.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 7 June, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Falih al‑Zaidi will pay an official visit to the United States, bringing with him a delegation of business leaders, private‑sector representatives and banking officials, in an effort to boost investment and deepen economic ties with Washington.
People across Gaza are facing a worsening humanitarian crisis, with millions struggling to access food, clean water, shelter and medical care as the conflict continues.
Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister Oleksiy Kuleba said Russian forces attacked two civilian search and rescue vessels operating in Ukrainian waters on Saturday, leaving several people injured.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment