Sajid Javid warned he risks 'giving succor' to the likes of North Korea and Russia with new internet regulator to monitor harmful content Javid prepares to unveil plans to tackle extreme content on the internet John Whittingdale risk dragging Britain into a ‘draconian censorship regime’ Minister Ben Wallace said tech giants have been unaccountable for too long By Harry Cole Deputy Political Editor For The Mail On Sunday Published: 01:07 BST, 7 April 2019 | Updated: 01:07 BST, 7 April 2019 Viewcomments A government clampdown on social media risks ‘giving succour to Britain’s enemies’ such as Russia, a former Culture Secretary warns today. Sajid Javid has warned that a government clampdown on social media risks giving help countries such as Russia. Javid prepares to unveil plans to tackle extreme content on the internet in a White Paper tomorrow Tory grandee John Whittingdale spoke out as Home Secretary Sajid Javid prepares to unveil in a White Paper tomorrow plans to tackle extreme material on the internet, including images of terrorism and child abuse. A new online regulator would make the bosses of companies such as Facebook or Instagram personally liable to be fined, prosecuted or even blocked from operating in Britain. Ministers insist protections for the press will be written into the legislation. But critics fear the scope of a planned new regulator, dubbed Ofweb, risks hampering genuine news websites and responsible online forums such as TripAdvisor and Mumsnet, and crippling small firms with red tape. Mr Whittingdale says the sweeping measures that will give firms a ‘legal duty of care’ to protect users risk dragging British citizens into a ‘draconian censorship regime’. And he warns undemocratic nations could use the UK’s actions as an excuse to further censor their own citizens. In an article for The Mail on Sunday, he says: ‘Countries like China, Russia and North Korea, which allow no political dissent and deny their people freedom of speech, are also keen to impose censorship online, just as they already do on traditional media. This mooted new UK regulator must not give the despots an excuse to claim that they are simply following an example set by Britain, where civil liberties were first entrenched in Magna Carta 800 years ago.’ But Security Minister Ben Wallace hit back, saying tech giants have been unaccountable for too long. He said: ‘It is time to put our children’s and society’s security before the needs of Silicon Valley billionaires and corporates who for too long have avoided taking their fair share of responsibility for the horrors broadcast over their web services. ‘This White Paper seeks to preserve the freedoms of the web while those who control it take more responsibility.’ But as we revealed in January, the plans have been hampered by Whitehall infighting. Decisions on how the regulator will be funded, and whether it will be an expansion of Ofcom – which regulates the airwaves – or a new government body, have been put off until after a public consultation. The regulator has also become a political football among contenders for the Tory leadership, with Health Secretary Matthew Hancock accused of trying to ‘muscle in on the process’ to win over party members who are parents. One source said: ‘Matt’s been trying to get all over this.’ There have also been battles between the Home Office and Culture Secretary Jeremy Wright, who has tried to limit the powers of the regulator in order to protect Britain’s own booming tech sector. Last night, Mr Javid said: ‘Illegal terrorist content and child sexual exploitation and abuse has absolutely no place in society… and it shocks me that it is still too readily available online. Our new proposals will protect UK citizens and ensure tech firms will no longer be able to ignore their responsibilities.’ But the Institute of Economic Affairs think-tank said: ‘Granting the Government power to dictate what content is or isn’t appropriate for people to see sets an extremely dangerous precedent. Instead, more self-regulation should be encouraged to tackle the issue. ‘These draconian regulations will do more harm than good, ushering in new levels of censorship and killing innovation along the way.’ A Government source said the public consultation exercise around the new regulator will settle any concerns and ‘safeguards’ would be built in to protect press freedom. Threat to priceless freedoms By JOHN WHITTINGDALE, Former Culture Secretary Imagine if two punters had a nasty fight in a pub. Who gets fined, or even nicked? Not the landlord. But that is what this Government clampdown threatens to do to social media bosses over a similar dust-up online. With their ‘duty of care’, well-meaning Ministers want the same laws to apply online as offline – but they risk dragging British citizens into a draconian censorship regime instead. And that is not the only concern I have with this White Paper. John Whittingdale is a British Conservative Party politician. He is the MP for the Maldon constituency. Whittingdale has been an MP since the 1992 general election. Whittingdale was appointed Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport by David Cameron in 2015. He was dismissed by Theresa May in 2016 during a Cabinet reshuffle. He was one of the six Cabinet ministers to come out in favour of Brexit during the 2016 EU referendum and has since been a supporter of the Leave Means Leave. I fear this sweeping clampdown on our brilliant tech sector will give succour to Britain’s enemies. The internet is a huge force for good, allowing instant communication and access to information around the globe. Of course, it also has a dark side and it is right to crack down on its use by paedophiles, organised criminals and those who promote self-harm. However, countries such as China, Russia and North Korea, which allow no political dissent and deny their people freedom of speech, are also keen to impose censorship online, just as they already do on traditional media. This mooted new UK regulator must not give the despots an excuse to claim that they are simply following an example set by Britain, where civil liberties were first entrenched in Magna Carta 800 years ago. Any regulator must be genuinely independent of government, not run by faceless bureaucrats in Whitehall. And its actions must be carefully targeted against those who are using the internet to promote harm. This country is seen as a bastion of freedom around the world. Let us be very careful not to put that at risk. Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site dailymail and under his responsibility