New UK plans require tech firms to provide identity verification tools to combat anonymous trolls.

• To ensure the safety and security of online platforms, the proposals suggest that users must be able to verify their identity and block any unverified accounts.
• Tech companies would be required to create tools that enable users to remove any "legal but harmful" content.
• The Online Safety Bill in Britain is being updated with new measures, which include enforcing a duty of care on digital platforms to safeguard users from harmful content.

The U.K. government has announced new plans that require tech platforms like Facebook and Twitter to implement identity verification tools to help users block anonymous trolls online.

To prevent spam and improve security, online platforms must enable users to verify their identity and prohibit unverified accounts from communicating with them.

The government stated that tech firms are responsible for determining how to conduct identity checks, which may involve various methods.

• Facial recognition software can be used to verify a user's profile picture.
• A text message is sent to verify identity through two-factor authentication technology.
• Creating or updating a social account requires a government-issued ID such as a passport.

The government has assigned Ofcom the responsibility of providing instructions on how businesses can meet the user verification obligation.

The government proposed a new measure that would require tech companies to create tools that allow users to filter out any content deemed "legal but harmful." These tools could include settings that prevent users from receiving recommendations about certain topics or place "sensitivity screens" over such material.

The Online Safety Bill in Britain is being updated with new measures, which include enforcing a duty of care on digital platforms to safeguard users from harmful content.

If a company fails to comply with regulations, it could face fines of up to 10% of its global annual revenues, and its non-compliant services may be blocked in the U.K. The bill, which has not yet been finalized, must be approved by Parliament before it becomes law.

Nadine Dorries, the U.K. Digital Minister, stated on Friday that tech firms have a duty to put an end to anonymous trolls contaminating their platforms.

Individuals will now possess greater authority over who can communicate with them and can halt the influx of hateful content delivered by malicious algorithms.

Twitter considers anonymity as a crucial tool for expressing oneself in oppressive regimes and it is equally important in democratic societies.

A Twitter spokesperson informed CNBC that they are examining the specifics of the new proposed responsibilities. Their main priority is ensuring the internet remains secure for everyone, regardless of whether or not individuals choose to verify themselves.

Facebook and Google representatives were not immediately reachable for comment when contacted by CNBC.

Racist abuse directed at Black England soccer players on Instagram and Twitter last year prompted calls for platforms to take more action against anonymous abuse. The companies responded by swiftly removing racist posts and accounts.

The killing of British lawmaker David Amess in his constituency last year intensified demands for tech companies to eliminate anonymous trolls. The attack, classified as a terrorist incident by police, heightened worries about the daily online harassment that MPs endure.

The government has proposed new measures, but it's unclear how they will function. Some campaigners worry that the bill may restrict online freedom of expression. Nevertheless, the government maintains that no legal free speech will be removed.

Jim Killock, executive director of the Open Rights Group, stated that platforms cannot opt people out of harmful content as it does not come with a "legal but harmful" label, according to CNBC.

People will have the option to decide whether algorithms remove content that may be offensive, resulting in the unintended removal of phrases like "Scunthorpe" or "garden hoes" in the name of safety, as he explained.