Government Consultation - Knife Sales: executive sanctions.

[Kiri]

Another consultation on: Sale of Knives: executive sanctions:

Sale of knives: executive sanctions
The government is consulting on proposals which would make senior executives of tech companies personally liable when the rules on the sale of knives are…
www.gov.uk

 

[Nice65]

Thank you Kiri for your consistent input on actual legislation and always avoiding hearsay or comment.

 

[GreyCat]

Interesting development. Has (successful) parallels in H&S law.

Making it work when the responsible persons don't live in UK might be a challenge though....

... better funding of inspection of imported goods and more Trading Standards persons would (a) probably achieve more and (b) also catch other things such as unsafe electrical goods or toys.

GC

 

[just_john]

Looks like that will put an end to any Facebook knife groups

 

[Broch]

Looks like that will put an end to any Facebook knife groups

Sorry, I don't see that - it just means that participants must a) understand the law and b) stick to it. The company will be given notice if anything appears on their platform that is illegal and will only face consequences if it is not removed.

 

[Mesquite]

Looking at what they're saying Tony will most likely have to put in place very specific rules about the ads that members post when they want to sell any knives or edged blades.

 

[just_john]

Sorry, I don't see that - it just means that participants must a) understand the law and b) stick to it. The company will be given notice if anything appears on their platform that is illegal and will only face consequences if it is not removed.

That would be the sensible mature solution. What will happen however is a blanket ban making knife sales against terms, same as Facebook with air rifle sales. A ban on sales means no risk to the company, and only a small percentage or users are inconvenienced

 

[rarms]

Sorry, I don't see that - it just means that participants must a) understand the law and b) stick to it. The company will be given notice if anything appears on their platform that is illegal and will only face consequences if it is not removed.

You don't think that Facebook/any other website will take the easy option and rather than risk their freedom, or employ extra moderators, they will simply say no knife sales? Like most places do with air rifles etc...

 

[Keith_Beef]

... better funding of inspection of imported goods and more Trading Standards persons would (a) probably achieve more and (b) also catch other things such as unsafe electrical goods or toys.

I fully agree.

The penalty for non-compliance also seems to me to be ridiculous, when compared to GDPR.

5.1. We are proposing that the fine for not complying with the content removal notice would be up to £10,000, determined by the court. We believe that a fine at this level is sufficient to act as a deterrent and would change behaviours, whilst retaining proportionality. We invite views on whether this is the right level.

Whereas GDPR sets out "fines of up to 10 million euros, or, in the case of an undertaking, up to 2% of its entire global turnover of the preceding fiscal year, whichever is higher".