Online safety bill ‘will fail to protect millions from cloned websites and ad scams’
Hilary Osborne, 15 May 2021
The UK government’s online safety bill will “fail to protect millions” by leaving people at risk of falling victim to cloned websites and adverts paid for by fraudsters, experts warned this week.
The bill, included in Tuesday’s Queen’s speech, will “lead the way in ensuring internet safety for all”, according to the government.However, finance experts said its focus on user-generated content, such as social media posts involving romance scams or fake investment opportunities, left a loophole for criminals.
Debbie Barton, a financial crime prevention expert at the investment firm Quilter, said the bill would have a big impact on protecting investors, particularly young people, from financial harm but there was much further to go. Continue reading “Article: Online safety bill ‘will fail to protect millions from cloned websites and ad scams’”

Triads, shopping bags full of cash, money laundering – if you’ve been following the inquiry into Crown Resorts run by New South Wales authorities, you might think there aren’t many allegations left to be hurled at the casino operator.
R. Joseph Barton is a partner of Block & Leviton LLP, and is the Chair of the Firm’s Employee Benefits Group and the Firm’s Veterans/Servicemember Rights Group. He graduated from the College of William & Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law (J.D. 2000), Order of the Coif. He is a member of the Editorial board of the William & Mary Law Review. His practice areas include a diverse array of complex and class litigation. His bar admissions are: California,