Parliamentary Search

Written question asked by Andrew Percy (Conservative) on Monday, 13 May 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 May 2024. It was answered by Saqib Bhatti (Conservative) on Tuesday, 21 May 2024 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Social Media: Safety

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if she will take steps under the powers available to her as set out in Schedule 11(1)(b) of the Online Safety Act to bring forward legislative proposals setting category 1 threshold conditions in relation to small forums that share (a) antisemitic hatred and (b) suicide methods.

Answer

The Secretary of State is considering in detail the advice that Ofcom has provided. The Secretary of State will make regulations as soon as reasonably practicable, in line with Schedule 11 of the Act.

More broadly, all user-to-user services in scope of the Online Safety Act – including online forums of any size – will be required to comply with the illegal safety duties and take steps to remove illegal content. The strongest protections in the Act are for children and where these services are likely to be accessed by children, they must also protect children from a wider range of harmful content. Targeted duties on search services, to minimise illegal search results, will also reduce traffic to websites, including online forums, that host illegal material.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
25823
Session
2023-24
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Safety Suicide Antisemitism Social media
Legislation
Online Safety Act 2023
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk