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Britons will get the right to force social media companies to delete old posts shared when they were children, under new government plans unveiled today.

The Data Protection Bill, aimed at giving people a greater “right to be forgotten” online, will make it simpler for internet users to control how companies use their personal details.

Information regulators will also be given extra powers to issue fines of up to £17 million.

The legislation, which will require people to give explicit consent for their information to be collected online, brings the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) into domestic law.

What the new law will do Allow people to ask for their personal data held by companies to be erased.

Enable parents and guardians to give consent for their child's data to be used.

Expand the definition of personal data to include IP addresses, internet cookies and DNA;

Make it easier and free for individuals to require an organisation reveal the personal data it holds on them.

Create new criminal offences to deter organisations from intentionally or recklessly creating situations where someone could be identified from anonymised data.

The Information Commissioner's Office will be given significantly tougher powers, with the maximum fine it can levy being increased from £0.5m to £17 million, or 4% of a firm's global turnover.

The bill, which was announced in the Queen's Speech, will be introduced in Parliament when MPs and peers return from the summer break in September.

Digital Minister Matt Hancock said: "Our measures are designed to support businesses in their use of data, and give consumers the confidence that their data is protected and those who misuse it will be held to account.

"The new Data Protection Bill will give us one of the most robust, yet dynamic, set of data laws in the world.

"It will give people more control over their data, require more consent for its use, and prepare Britain for Brexit.

"We have some of the best data science in the world and this new law will help it to thrive."