Ofcom warns social media firms over online abuse during World Cup

• Regulator will monitor measures taken by companies

• ‘Spikes have often targeted Black and minority ethnic players’

Ofcom has written to social media companies to remind them of their responsibilities regarding online abuse and said it will monitor measures taken against “illegal hate content” during the World Cup.

After the experience of England players during the men’s 2021 European Championship and the women’s Euros last year, Ofcom has urged online platforms to make sure they have effective mitigations against abuse in place and that they are “adequately prepared for increased occurrence during the World Cup”.