Rosianne Cutajar Calls For Fake Profiles To Become Illegal

Speaking in Parliament, Labour MP Rosianne Cutajar called for the creation and use of fake online profiles to be made illegal, as part of a broader effort to tackle the growing issues of cyberbullying and cyberstalking.

Cutajar argued that the rise of social media has made it easier for individuals to hide behind fake identities to harass and intimidate others.

She stressed that current measures, such as reporting abusive content or profiles, are often too slow and ineffective, and that more robust action is needed to hold those behind fake accounts accountable.

The Labour MP highlighted research showing a clear link between fake profiles and cyberbullying, saying it is essential to target both if real progress is to be made in protecting victims.

She also referenced Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who recently addressed the issue at the World Economic Forum. Sánchez proposed that social media profiles should be tied to a verified digital identity in order to increase transparency and accountability online.

Cutajar urged her fellow MPs to take the matter seriously and to consider legislative initiatives that would criminalise the use of fake profiles, as part of a national strategy to curb online abuse and protect users.

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