Companies such as Facebook, Google and Twitter can now be classed as publishers, the head of Ofcom has said, raising the prospect that the technology giants could face closer regulation. Dame Patricia Hodgson, chairwoman of the media regulator, said that it was her “personal view” that they should be classified as content publishers. YouTube, which is owned by Google, and Facebook are not subject to the same regulation as broadcasters such as the BBC and ITV because they maintain they are merely technology platforms. However, concerns about “fake news”, extremist propaganda and their domination of the digital advertising market has led to calls for the companies to take greater responsibility for the content they host. Whether to reclassify the companies was a matter for the
additionally , Google and Twitter would have to submit to further regulation and scrutiny if they become classified as publishers , which is the personal preference of ma ##rion Hodgson , chairwoman of UK media regulator Ofcom . The sites are not subject to the same rules that govern broadcasters such as the internet , and the firms claim that they are technology platforms . However , the rise of fake news and terrorist propaganda has resulted in calls for them to take more responsibility for their content . Any changes in the tech giants ' policies would be for the government to put into effect .