For the past week, England and parts of Northern Ireland have been gripped by unrest, with communities experiencing heightened tensions and an extensive police presence. Social media platforms have played an unjust role in spreading information, some of it harmful, during this period of turmoil. Despite this, major technology companies have remained largely silent, refusing to address their role in the situation publicly.
Big Tech's Reluctance to Speak
Journalists at BBC News have been actively seeking responses from major tech firms regarding their actions during the unrest. However, these companies have not been forthcoming. With the exception of Telegram, which issued a brief statement, platforms like Meta, TikTok, Snapchat, and Signal have refrained from commenting on the matter.
Telegram's involvement became particularly concerning when a list containing the names and addresses of immigration lawyers was circulated on its platform. The Law Society of England and Wales expressed serious concerns, treating the list as a credible threat to its members. Although Telegram did not directly address the list, it did confirm that its moderators were monitoring the situation and removing content that incites violence, in line with the platform's terms of service.
Elon Musk's Twitter and the Spread of Misinformation
The platform formerly known as Twitter, now rebranded as X under Elon Musk's ownership, has also drawn massive attention. The site has been a hub for false claims, hate speech, and conspiracy theories during the unrest. Despite this, X has remained silent, offering no public statements. Musk, however, has been vocal on the platform, making controversial remarks that have only added fuel to the fire.
Musk's tweets have included inflammatory statements, such as predicting a civil war and questioning the UK's approach to protecting communities. His posts have sparked criticism from various quarters, including the UK Prime Minister's spokesperson. Musk even shared, and later deleted, an image promoting a conspiracy theory about detainment camps in the Falkland Islands, further underlining the platform's problematic role during this crisis.
Experts Weigh In on Big Tech's Silence
Industry experts believe that tech companies are deliberately staying silent to avoid getting embroiled in political controversies and regulatory challenges. Matt Navarra, a social media analyst, suggests that these firms hope public attention will shift away, allowing them to avoid accountability. Meanwhile, Adam Leon Smith of BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, criticised the silence as "incredibly disrespectful" to the public.
Hanna Kahlert, a media analyst at Midia Research, offered a strategic perspective, arguing that companies might be cautious about making public statements that could later constrain their actions. These firms, she explained, prioritise activities that drive ad revenue, often at the expense of public safety and social responsibility.
What Does It Look Like?
As the UK grapples with the fallout from this unrest, there are growing calls for stronger regulation of social media platforms. The Online Safety Act, set to come into effect early next year, is expected to give the regulator Ofcom more powers to hold these companies accountable. However, some, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan, question whether the Act will be sufficient.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has acknowledged the need for a broader review of social media in light of recent events. Professor Lorna Woods, an expert in internet law, pointed out that while the new legislation might address some issues, it might not be comprehensive enough to tackle all forms of harmful content.
A recent YouGov poll revealed that two-thirds of the British public want social media firms to be more accountable. As big tech remains silent, it appears that the UK is on the cusp of regulatory changes that could reshape the future of social media in the country.
