Draconian new rules designed to make the web safer for children will wreak ‘untold harm’ on newspapers and websites, the Society of Editors has warned.
The proposed code will limit online advertising so severely it will drive regional newspapers to the point of collapse and ‘severely damage’ national newspapers and broadcasters, the influential industry group said.
Under the rules, drawn up by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), internet firms will be forced to introduce strict new age checks on their websites – or treat all of their users as if they are children.