Tech bosses could face jail after UK govt backs down over online harm


People take a selfie next to the bank of the River Thames, with the City of London financial district in the background, in London, Britain, January 2, 2023. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/File Photo

LONDON (Reuters) - Tech bosses could be jailed in Britain if their platforms fail to protect children from online harm after the government agreed to toughen a proposed law to avoid the prospect of a first parliamentary defeat for the prime minister.

Rishi Sunak faced losing a vote in the House of Commons on Tuesday after 50 Conservative lawmakers and the main opposition party said they would support another amendment to the long-delayed Online Safety Bill.

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