Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministerial Statement

Online Safety Bill

16 December 2021 · 11 other contributors

Opened by Damian Collins Con Folkestone and Hythe

Culture, Media & Sport

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Damian Collins raised concerns about online safety bill in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Minister Damian Collins from Folkestone and Hythe announced the publication of the Joint Committee's report on the draft Online Safety Bill
  • The minister acknowledged the effort of the Joint Committee members and staff in completing the report within a tight deadline
  • The minister stated that the Online Safety Bill will be the first legislation globally to regulate online issues comprehensively

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Government Statement

Damian Collins

The minister, Damian Collins from Folkestone and Hythe, announced the publication of the Joint Committee’s report on the draft Online Safety Bill. He acknowledged the hard work of the Joint Committee members and staff in producing a unanimous and comprehensive report within an intense timeframe. The minister highlighted that this Bill will be the first in the world to introduce such a comprehensive piece of legislation for online regulation, addressing issues such as hate speech, abuse, scams, frauds, disinformation, and user vulnerability exploitation on social media platforms. He emphasised the need for accountability from social media companies regarding content amplification and engagement systems that often lead users into harmful activities despite knowing their negative impacts. The minister stressed the importance of regulatory measures set by Ofcom to enforce existing laws and suggested new offences like knowingly sharing false information causing physical or severe psychological harm, promoting self-harm, and cyber-flashing. He also addressed concerns about anonymity as a shield for abuse and advocated for traceability of abusers. Additionally, he mentioned age-assurance policies to protect children from accessing inappropriate content easily online, the importance of regulator inspections and audits, and enforcement through fines and liabilities for directors in case of flagrant breaches.

Other contributors (11)
  • Dean Russell Con Watford

    Question

    Does my hon. Friend agree that the Bill will have a profound impact on real people—especially vulnerable people and young children? He mentioned Zach Eagling who was targeted with cruel flashing images, causing harm to his life and even risking death. Does he believe the Bill will support victims like Zach through proposed laws such as 'Zach’s law' and ensure tech firms are held accountable?

  • Dean Russell Con Deer Park and Southgate

    Question

    First, as a member of the Joint Committee on the draft Online Safety Bill, I thank my hon. Friend for his words. Does my hon. Friend agree that the Bill will have a profound impact on real people—especially vulnerable people and young children? It includes Zach's law which aims to support individuals like Zach Eagling who were targeted with cruel flashing images on social media.

    Minister reply

    I am grateful to my hon. Friend, who has spoken out strongly on the targeting of people with epilepsy both in Committee and elsewhere. This practice should have no place on the internet, and companies should work to stop it and close down accounts that engage in such abuse.

  • Diana R. Johnson Lab Kingston upon Hull North and Cottingham

    Question

    I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on the report, along with all who served on the Committee. Did the Joint Committee feel able to make any recommendation about how pimping websites should be covered in the draft Online Safety Bill?

    Minister reply

    The Joint Committee received evidence on this issue from Interpol and believes that encouraging illegality should not exist on social media, requiring companies to address such harmful content.

  • David Johnston Con Carmarthen East and Dinefwr

    Question

    Does my hon. Friend agree that it is ludicrous for big tech companies to claim they cannot implement measures to keep people safer when they use mass surveillance and data gathering for ad targeting?

    Minister reply

    My hon. Friend is absolutely right. The same technology used for ad targeting can be used to prevent harmful content, but there has been a lack of legal requirement and regulatory oversight.

  • Fleur Anderson Lab Putney

    Question

    I welcome the Committee’s work on age assurance measures in social media platforms. How convinced is the hon. Gentleman that these platforms can put such measures in place effectively?

    Minister reply

    The report addresses this issue, stating that companies need to deliver effective age assurance systems and use various technologies available. The regulator will check compliance.

  • Alicia Kearns Con Rutland and Stamford

    Question

    How much did the Committee consider whether the Bill is an appropriate legislative vehicle to tackle disinformation by hostile states?

    Minister reply

    The report addresses this issue, recommending that platforms should not accept ads from foreign entities targeting UK voters and that the regulator should use its powers to identify fake accounts.

  • Afzal Khan Lab Manchester Rusholme

    Question

    Did the Committee consider the definition of Islamophobia suggested by the all-party parliamentary group on British Muslims?

    Minister reply

    The report addresses religious hatred, including Islamophobia and antisemitism, as harms that the regulator can take enforcement action against.

  • Bob Blackman Con Harrow East

    Question

    What account has the Committee taken of how we can control international aspects of harmful social media content?

    Minister reply

    The rules apply to content accessed by UK users, regardless of where it originates. The report recommends that frauds and scams should be within scope, including when they appear in adverts placed by non-accredited organisations.

  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Question

    What will be done to filter out harmful content for children who are increasingly using smartphones from a young age?

    Minister reply

    Important work has been done on this, including passing legislation on the design of services. The report stresses the importance of risk assessment by the regulator and principles of safety by design, particularly regarding services accessed by children.

  • Richard Thomson SNP Kilmarnock and Loudoun

    Question

    Does the hon. Gentleman agree that it is all the more important for Ofcom to act as a genuinely independent regulator with its enhanced role?

    Minister reply

    The hon. Gentleman is right to say that online safety will be a big job for Ofcom, and the House should scrutinise that process to ensure effectiveness.

Shadow Comment

Dean Russell

The shadow minister, Dean Russell from Watford, expressed gratitude towards his hon. Friend and acknowledged the Bill's profound impact on vulnerable individuals such as Zach Eagling, who faced cruel flashing images triggering seizures. He emphasised support for proposed laws like 'Zach’s law' to provide assistance to victims while holding tech firms accountable.

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