Idris Elba Leads Calls For Social Media Companies To Verify Identity For All Users

Idris Elba is helping elevate the discussion about people's online identities.

Ever since the racist abuse aimed at English footballers erupted following the Euro 2020 final, there have been calls about how to combat this type of horrific content.

The Luther star believes verifying people's identities is one of the best ways as it will hold people to account for the things they post.

Many are able to get away with writing the worst things imaginable because their profile has no personal information attached to it.

But if it was up to Elba, companies would be able to expose every single person who was offensive.

He's written on Instagram: "People in the public eye get verified on social media. The process of verification requires them to prove their IDENTITY, so everyone knows WHO is speaking.

"SOCIAL MEDIA COMPANIES SHOULD MAKE THIS MANDATORY FOR ALL USERS.

"Currently, social media is like boarding a plane and not having to show I.D. THAT would never happen.

"If cowards are being supported by a veil of privacy and secrecy, then social media is not a safe space. It is an aeroplane that allows travellers to wear balaclavas. If cowards want to spout racial rhetoric then say it with your name, not your username."

A massive conversation has opened up about how to police comments, messages and posts on social media, with companies previously leaning towards the freedom of speech defence.

However, people are growing sick of the lack of punishment given to those who break the rules.

There's currently a petition on the UK government's website that has reach more than 600,000 signatures.

PA

It was launched by celebrity Katie Price back in 2017, who wants trolls to be held to account.

On the online campaign, she wrote: "My son Harvey is disabled. He is also the kind and gentle son of a person regularly in the public eye.

"The Online Harms Bill doesn't go far enough in making online abuse a specific criminal offence and doing what 'Harvey's Law' intended.

"To make the law work needs the removal of anonymity to ensure that users cannot cause harm by using online platforms to abuse others. Where an offence has taken place they ought to be easily identified and reported to the police and punished.

"We have experienced the worst kind of abuse towards my disabled son and want to make sure that no one can hide behind their crime."

The petition has found a massive resurgence in popularity following the Euro 2020 final.

Topics: Celebrity, News, Technology

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie