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Public trust in Facebook and Twitter has fallen to new low, study finds

Most people think the online companies are not regulated enough, the study found - PA
Most people think the online companies are not regulated enough, the study found - PA

Trust in social media companies such as Facebook and Twitter has reached a new low, a major credibility survey has warned, over concerns they do not do enough to tackle bullying, illegal activities and the spreading of extremist content on their sites.

Most people think the online companies are not regulated enough (64 per cent) and lack transparency (63 per cent), according to the Edelman Trust Barometer.

Just over half (57 per cent) believe social media firms take advantage of users' loneliness and 62 per cent think they are selling people's data without their knowledge.

A third (34 per cent) do not think social media is a force for good in society, the survey of 33,000 people found.

Facebook, Twitter and other online giants have faced intense criticism from MPs over the way they deal with offensive or extreme content and the Government has warned they face penalties if they refuse to tighten up controls.

The public want action on key issues related to online protection, and to see their concerns addressed through better regulation

Ed Williams

Ed Williams, chief executive officer of Edelman UK, said: "After a flood of negative headlines in 2017, it's time these companies sat up and listened.

"The public want action on key issues related to online protection, and to see their concerns addressed through better regulation. Failure on their part to act risks further erosion of trust and therefore public support."

The wide-ranging study also found trust in government remains languishing at just 36 per cent, the same as 2017, and 40 per cent believe it abuses its power more than any other pillar of society.

But trust in party leaders Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn has risen over the last 12 months.

The Prime Minister enjoyed a four-point bounce - 35 per cent to 39 per cent - while the Labour leader scored an extra 13 points, from 23 per cent to 36 per cent.

According to the research, 39 per cent of the public back Brexit while 43 per cent are opposed and 12 per cent said they did not care either way.

Distrust in business is fuelled mainly by concerns over high executive pay (58 per cent), tax avoidance (56 per cent) and a lack of transparency in business dealings (45 per cent).

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Charles Bowman, Lord Mayor of the City of London, and a spokesman for the UK's financial and professional services sector, said: "With trust in business remaining low, today's findings show that business has a lot still to do.

"Improving trust in business is the focus of my mayoral year through the Business of Trust programme."

More than 33,000 respondents took part in 30-minute online interviews from October 28 to November 20 2017.

The survey included 6,200 "informed public respondents" who were aged 25-64, college-educated; a household income in the top quartile for their age in their country; read or watch business/news media at least several times a week; follow public policy issues in the news at least several times a week.