Major tech companies such as Facebook and Twitter can receive “substantial fines” in UK if they do not intervene quickly enough in case of content being challenged on their media platforms. A new law provides an extra stick to quickly remove messages containing for example, the promotion of terror or abuse of children.

With the new rules, the managers of the companies can also be held personally liable in the event of a hesitant performance. The level of the fines is being considered in the coming months. The measures also tackle the distribution of fake news and interference in elections.

According to the British government, the measures make tech companies more aware of their responsibilities. The announcement follows briefly statements from Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg. He recently pointed out that governments and regulators should play a more active role in supervision.

The measure will lead to dull and vulnerable media content restricted to cat shots and common wisdom.