Written question asked by Chi Onwurah (Labour) on Thursday, 20 March 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 25 March 2025 (named day). It was answered by Feryal Clark (Labour) on Tuesday, 25 March 2025 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Social Media: Regulation

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether he has plans to instruct Ofcom to conduct an impact assessment of the decision to designate end-to-end encryption as a risk factor in their Illegal Harms Codes of Practice and illegal content risk assessment guidance.

Answer: The Online Safety Act does not ban any service design, including end-to-end-encryption. Under the Act, providers must risk assess the design of their service. Ofcom can only recommend measures in codes of practice that are technically feasible. Separately, Ofcom has powers to direct companies to develop and deploy accredited and accurate technology to identify and remove child sexual abuse material on private communications, but only when all other measures have not adequately addressed the risk.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 39835
Session: 2024-26
Related items: Social Media: Regulation
Wednesday, 23 April 2025
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Regulation Impact assessments Risk management Cryptography Social media
Link: View this Written question on www.parliament.uk