US lawmakers propose Internet controls to fight child porn

Opponents however said that eliminating eroding automatic immunity to Internet services hosts for one issue – child exploitation – could lead to further erosion on a wide array of issues. — Dreamstime/TNS

WASHINGTON: US lawmakers proposed legislation on March 5 that could see Internet companies held legally responsible for content on their platforms if they don't do enough to police child pornography.

Senators from both parties, backed by the Department of Justice, said that existing laws immunising Internet hosts like social media companies from liability for user-posted content have allowed child pornography to proliferate.