Britain considers tougher internet safety laws after riots, Musk comments — what you need to know

LONDON — Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Labour government is considering ways to toughen up internet safety regulations in the U.K. after misinformation sparked a spate of anti-immigration protests and X owner Elon Musk made incendiary comments in posts that were viewed by millions of people.

Two industry sources with knowledge of the matter told CNBC that following the events of the past two weeks, Labour is considering a review of the Online Safety Act — legislation that requires tech giants to prevent the spread of illegal and harmful content on their platforms.

These sources were not authorized to speak publicly about the proposed changes, as the conversations surrounding revamped online safety laws are ongoing. 

Top officials have made comments in recent days saying that the government may review the Online Safety Act to make it tougher on disinformation, hate speech and incitement to violence.

"There are obviously aspects of the Online Safety Act that haven't come into effect yet. We stand ready to make changes if necessary," Nick Thomas-Symonds, minister for the Cabinet Office, told CNBC sister network Sky News.

Media and telecommunications regulator, Ofcom, has been unable to act against social media platforms for allowing hate speech and other content that would violate the law, because of the fact that the legislation hasn't fully come into force yet.

What is the Online Safety Act, exactly? And what could it mean for tech firms like Elon Musk's X? CNBC runs through all you need to know. 

The Online Safety Act is a landmark piece of legislation in the U.K. that seeks to force social networks and video streaming media companies to rid their platforms of illegal content. 

The regulation contains new duties which would