UK Government Unites Tech Titans to Tackle Online Fraud!
According to the UK government, eleven major tech companies have made a commitment to intensify their efforts in combating the issue of online scammers. This pledge is being hailed as a groundbreaking initiative on a global scale. Companies such as Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Google, Instagram, LinkedIn, Match Group, Microsoft, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube have all agreed to participate in the Online Fraud Charter. Government officials believe that this charter will enhance user protection measures.
The tech giants have promised to take tougher measures within six months to prevent and remove scams such as fake ads and romance scams from their platforms.
The measures include the verification of new advertisers, better checks on online marketplaces and the ability for users of dating sites to prove their true identity.
The voluntary charter, developed with technology companies, also aims to prevent children from seeing advertisements for age-restricted products, such as alcohol or gambling.
Home Secretary James Cleverly described the online fraud book as a “big step forward” towards protecting the public from “sophisticated, adapted and highly organized criminals”.
“There’s never been a deal like this on this scale before, and I’m extremely happy to see tech companies working with us to turn the tide against scammers,” he added.
The government said each signatory has vowed to work closely with law enforcement to target scammers by reporting suspicious activity, helping to identify those responsible and removing content.
Fraud accounts for around 40 per cent of all crime in England and Wales, while 80 per cent of all approved push payment fraud originates from social media or fake websites.
Antony Walker, deputy chief executive of the UK trade body for technology, said the new measures build on those already in place by tech companies.
But it will allow for “better and more consistent collaboration between the private sector, government and law enforcement,” he added.
