Source · Select Committees · Petitions Committee
Recommendation 22
22
Accepted
Anonymous abuse online is significant in both its volume and impact.
Recommendation
Anonymous abuse online is significant in both its volume and impact. However, the evidence we heard suggested that tackling the abuse being perpetrated under the cloak of anonymity, rather than imposing restrictions on online anonymity, should be the focus of efforts to resolve this problem. Allowing users to post anonymously does nonetheless entail a risk that this capability is misused, and so it would be sensible and proportionate for online platforms to be required to specifically evaluate—and consider what steps could be taken in response to—links between anonymity and abusive content on their platform. (Paragraph 92) 50 Tackling Online Abuse
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the recommendation, stating the Online Safety Bill already requires in-scope service providers to identify, mitigate, and manage risks associated with online anonymity. As part of risk assessments, all services must evaluate the role of anonymous profiles in spreading harmful content and implement appropriate protections.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with this recommendation. The Online Safety Bill requires service providers in scope to identify, mitigate and effectively manage the risks associated with online anonymity on user-to-user services. As part of their risk assessments, all services will need to assess the functionality of anonymous and pseudonymous profiles and the role they play in allowing illegal and (for Category 1 services and services which are likely to be accessed by children) legal but harmful content to spread, and to implement appropriate protections.