Tories to introduce new online protections and improve data security

The Tries want Britain to be 'the safest place in the world to be online'

The plans include measures to crack down on online abusive or harmful digital content, and an entitlement to greater guarantees around customer data storage.

The announcement comes as NHS organisations across the country were left reeling by after they were subject to a major ransomware cyber attack.

Unveiling the policy, Theresa May said she wanted Britain to become "the safest place in the world for people to be online".

"The internet has brought a wealth of opportunity but also significant new risks which have evolved faster than society’s response to them," Mrs May said.

“We want social media companies to do more to help redress the balance and will take action to make sure they do.

“These measures will help make Britain the best place in the world to start and run a digital business, and the safest place in the world for people to be online.

"A Conservative Government led by me will get on with the job of making life in the United Kingdom even better. That means we are prepared to face up to the big long-term challenges facing this country."

The proposals include protections for individuals’ information online, including a new entitlement for users to require social media platforms to delete their records from before the age of 18.

The party will also impose a requirement for social media companies to do more to prevent harmful content to protect children, with the threat of penalties if they fail to take action.

Households will be entitled to low cost and fast broadband connections "wherever you live in the country", with transparent pricing and easy switching.

And businesses and websites will face new legal obligations to store users' data "in a secure way".

The measures will be introduced alongside a new data protection bill to ensure "strong new standards for the safe, flexible and dynamic use of data".

The party said it will work with industry and charities "to establish a new framework that balances freedom with protection for users".