Paul Chichester, the director for operations of the government's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has stated the social networks like Twitter and Facebook should be doing more in the fight against the threat of fake news. As part of their own 'social responsibility,' the companies should be doing their best to stop misinformation rather than spread it further. This statement comes at a time when the protection of the integrity of Britain's electoral democratic system is the top priority of the NCSC subsequent to the hacking of the Democratic party in the US last year. While social networks are currently testing ways to flag news that's found to be fake, it's considered as not being enough by government officials who are urging they'll pose action from Brussels if a strong stance isn't adopted on the issue. Chichester does understand though, the viewpoint of the social media companies in feeling that they've been 'exploited' with the fake news threat and that collaboration between the them and government organisations like the NCSC are 100% necessary. The head also shared his thoughts on what was the 'biggest leak of confidential documents from the CIA' last week, describing how mass leaking of that nature is always a problem particularly when it aids cybercriminals in their antics.
This article shows the urgent action that governments want social media companies to take over this 'emerging threat' of fake news. Talks of the 'social responsibility' of a company are now being brought up to help spur this on but whether it'll actually do that much in making them take the quick action they need to is questionable. Collaboration between both the government and companies will also be something to keep an eye on in helping combat against the threat, seeing whether or not it'll be a successful partnership.
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