Sir Andy Cooke, the Chief Inspector of Constabulary, stressed the need for Ofcom to secure more powers to swiftly remove harmful posts that could incite violence, particularly following the disruptive riots in summer 2024. He criticized the Online Safety Act for being ineffective, as it doesnât equip regulators with necessary tools for addressing misinformation, which can spread rapidly online. Past criticism towards Ofcom highlights its failure to control misleading content during crises, influencing the public disorder sparked by violent events, including the tragic killing of three children in Southport.
Sir Andy Cooke, Chief Inspector of Constabulary, emphasized that Ofcom requires enhanced powers to swiftly remove harmful posts from social media to mitigate misinformation's impact on societal unrest.
He stated, "If you don't get them down quickly, they spread virally," underlining the urgency needed in addressing inappropriate online content.
Cooke noted that the Online Safety Act, despite its recent implementation, lacks provisions for effectively addressing the rapid dissemination of misleading information during crises.
Reflecting on past incidents, he asserted that police forces underestimated the threats posed by extreme nationalist sentiments, impacting their preparedness for public disturbances.
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