The Online Safety Act, passed in October but not set to be enforced until early next year, empowers the government to fine social media companies up to 10% of their global turnover if they violate the law. Currently, companies would face penalties only if they fail to address illegal content, such as incitements to violence or hate speech. However, proposed changes might allow the regulator, Ofcom, to penalize companies for allowing “legal but harmful” content, such as misinformation, to spread.

The British government is considering amending the Online Safety Act to better regulate social media companies in response to a week of racist riots fueled by online misinformation.

The legislation, initially introduced by the previous Conservative government, was inherited by the newly elected Labour government, which has been working to balance free speech rights with concerns about online harms. On Friday, a YouGov poll of over 2,000 adults revealed that 66% believe social media companies should be held accountable for posts inciting criminal behavior.

Additionally, 70% of respondents felt that social media companies are not adequately regulated, and 71% said these companies did not do enough to combat misinformation during the riots.

Cabinet Office Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds stated on Friday that the government is prepared to revisit the law’s framework. He mentioned on Sky News, “There are obviously aspects of the Online Safety Act that haven’t come into effect yet. We stand ready to make changes if necessary.”

Amid the riots, which saw clashes between rioters and police in several towns and cities, X (formerly Twitter) owner Elon Musk used his platform to share misleading information, including a post suggesting that civil war in Britain was “inevitable.” Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson responded, saying there was “no justification” for such comments.