Facebook Crime In Britain Rises 19%

Uploaded on 2020-02-04 in TECHNOLOGY-Key Areas-Social Media, GOVERNMENT-Law Enforcement, FREE TO VIEW

Data obtained from 20 different UK police forces under a Freedom of Information (FOI) request indicates that in the financial year 2018–19, the number of Facebook-related crimes reported to the police was 32,451. When compared to the same period in 2017–18, this total shows an increase in crime of 19%.

There has been a total of 55,643 UK crimes linked to Facebook, according to the official police figures. The news comes following the revelation that social media firms will be legally required to protect children from harmful content under the first-ever code to police the Internet, according to The Daily Telegraph.

The FOI data was obtained under by the Parliament Street think tank showed in financial year 2018-19 there were 32,451 crimes recorded by 20 police forces which provided data, an increase of 19% compared to the year before 

  • Leicestershire Police reported the highest number of incidents with 10,405 Facebook-linked crimes. 
  • Lancashire Constabulary reported the second-highest number of crimes linked to the social media giant.
  • The North West England force said it had recorded 8,829 Facebook-connected crimes, of which 718 were harassment, 179 were sexual offences, 1,007 involved offensive messages, and 1,497 were classified as malicious communication. 
  • Greater Manchester Police reported 8,230 Facebook-linked crimes, many of which involved "engaging in sexual activity with a child."

Offenses that mentioned Instagram or Facebook in the crime notes found that Instagram had been used by paedophiles, stalkers, burglars and drug dealers to commit 15,143 crimes since 2017. The total number of cases associated with both sites since 2017 is 70,786.

Standards that would force tech giants to make children’s privacy online a primary consideration have been published by the UK’s data regulator. The final Age Appropriate Design Code has been published by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which it hopes will come into effect by the autumn of 2021 pending approval from parliament. Everything from apps to connected toys, social media platforms to online games, and even educational websites and streaming services, will be expected to make data protection of young people a priority from the design up.

The Government-backed code will be enforced by fines is designed to prevent a repeat of the case of Molly Russell, the 14-year-old who killed herself after viewing self-harm images on Instagram and other sites. 

From warning people to avoid the scene of a serious incident and providing clear advice, to releasing images of wanted individuals and receiving up-to-the-second sightings from the public in response; social media has come to make a valuable contribution to policing the UK. 

The current code of conduct was created in 2017 and updated in April 2019. Failure to act in line with the government-backed code could result in fines and penalties that could potentially lose an offending company billions of pounds in revenue.  

Commentator:             Surrey Comet:          PR Week:         Telegraph:       Infosecurity Magazine:

You Might Also Read:

Websites To Be Fined Over 'online harms' Under New UK Law:

Facebook Deserves To Be Broken-Up:

 


 

« Email Malware Targeting US Senators & Military
Facial Recognition: A Three Billion Image Database »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81
Cyrin

Real Attacks. Real Tools. Real Scenarios.
Schedule a demo

Go Cyber

Training that transforms behaviours

Sign Up: Cyber Security Intelligence Newsletter

Directory of Suppliers

ZenGRC

ZenGRC

ZenGRC - the first, easy-to-use, enterprise-grade information security solution for compliance and risk management - offers businesses efficient control tracking, testing, and enforcement.

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

ManageEngine

ManageEngine

As the IT management division of Zoho Corporation, ManageEngine prioritizes flexible solutions that work for all businesses, regardless of size or budget.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity, Inc.

Resecurity is a cybersecurity company that delivers a unified platform for endpoint protection, risk management, and cyber threat intelligence.

Clayden Law

Clayden Law

Clayden Law advise global businesses that buy and sell technology products and services. We are experts in information technology, data privacy and cybersecurity law.

(ISC)2

(ISC)2

(ISC)² is an international, nonprofit membership association for information security leaders. Our information security certifications are recognized as the global standard for excellence.

CUIng.org

CUIng.org

The CUIng initiative was launched to tackle the problem of criminal exploitation of information hiding techniques.

Japan Network Security Association (JNSA)

Japan Network Security Association (JNSA)

JNSA's goal is to promote standardization related to network security and to contribute to greater technological standards in the field.

Crypta Labs

Crypta Labs

Crypta Labs is an Award Winning IOT Security startup that is developing a quantum-based encryption chip to secure the Internet of Things.

Applied Risk

Applied Risk

Applied Risk is an established leader in Industrial Control Systems security, focused on critical infrastructure security and combating security breaches that pose a significant threat.

Inavate Consulting

Inavate Consulting

Inavate Consulting are experts in defining and implementing information assurance solutions and governance frameworks. Our ISO27001 consultants are the most experienced in the industry.

Data Terminator

Data Terminator

Data Terminator provide a comprehensive range of secure data destruction equipment and services are in compliance to US Department of Defense (DoD) and National Security Agency (NSA) standards.

Technology Law Alliance (TLA)

Technology Law Alliance (TLA)

Technology Law Alliance is a specialist IT law firm focussed on the fields of technology, outsourcing and e-commerce.

NINJIO

NINJIO

NINJIO is a leader in cybersecurity awareness training. View IT Security Awareness through a different lens - entertain and educate your users through storytelling.

CITRA - Information Security and Emergency Response

CITRA - Information Security and Emergency Response

CITRA is responsible for overseeing the telecommunications sector, monitoring and protecting the interests of users and service providers, and regulating the services of telecomms networks in Kuwait.

Mosaic Insurance

Mosaic Insurance

Mosaic is a next-generation global specialty insurer distinguished by an exceptional team, agile technology, and a structure that combines Lloyd’s of London strength with a global distribution network

Microminder Cyber Security

Microminder Cyber Security

Microminder Cyber Security are innovators, advisors, strategists committed to solving your cyber security challenges.

Rhymetec

Rhymetec

Rhymetec are an industry leader in cloud security, providing innovative cybersecurity and data privacy services to the modern-day SaaS business.

ShellBoxes

ShellBoxes

ShellBoxes are a leading Web3 company focused on providing top-notch blockchain security and development services.

Threat Con

Threat Con

Threat Con is a one of its kind event in Nepal, a series of annual international security conventions similar to the famous Black Hat and DEF CON conferences.

Nokod Security

Nokod Security

Nokod Security delivers an application security platform for low-code / no-code custom applications and Robotic Process Automation (RPA).