Online Safety 2025-11-12

2025-11-12

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Bob Blackman Con
Harrow East
Context
The issue of chatbots prompting young people to commit suicide or self-harm has been raised. The Online Safety Act aims to protect users from illegal content, but the extent to which it covers chatbot-related issues remains uncertain.
I thank the Minister for his answer, but the reality is that chatbots are prompting young people to commit suicide and to self-harm. What action can the Minister take to make sure that these chatbots are taken down and do not give this sort of advice?
I thank the hon. Member for raising these cases, which are very much in our minds. Each one is a deep tragedy. We have looked very carefully at this issue. Some chatbots, including live search and user-to-user engagement, are in scope of the Online Safety Act 2023, and we want to ensure that enforcement against them, where relevant, is robust. The Secretary of State has commissioned work to make sure that, if there are any gaps in the legislation, they will be looked at fully and robust action will be taken too.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not specify immediate actions beyond review of the current legislation for potential gaps.
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Chi Onwurah Lab
Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Context
The Committee's inquiry into misinformation and algorithms found conflicting evidence about whether generative AI is covered by the Online Safety Act. There is a call for legislation to bring generative AI under the same category as other high-risk services.
The Minister says that the Government are looking deeply into this issue, but as part of my Committee’s inquiry into misinformation and algorithms, we heard conflicting evidence from Ministers and Ofcom as to whether generative artificial intelligence is covered by the Online Safety Act. The Government have refused to implement our call for legislation to bring generative AI under the same categorisation as other high-risk services. Under what circumstances is chatbot advice covered by the Online Safety Act, and will there be enforcement?
I thank my hon. Friend, both for the point she makes and for her ongoing insight and expertise on these questions. Let me be very clear about the current scope: chatbots that involve live search and user-to-user engagement are in scope of the Online Safety Act, as I mentioned. We are continuing to review its scope, and the Secretary of State has commissioned work. We will report its findings to the House.
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide specific enforcement plans but committed to reviewing and reporting on the current scope.
Response accuracy
Q3 Direct Answer
Victoria Collins LD
Harpenden and Berkhamsted
Context
Concerns have been raised about the use of chatbots for medical opinions, legal advice, and emotional support without clear accountability. The current Online Safety Act includes only live search and user-to-user engagement under its scope.
I would like to join hon. Members in really pushing on questions about AI chatbots. Their human-like, assertive nature is filling a gap and many people, including children, are entrusting chatbots with medical opinions, legal advice and emotional support, with fatal consequences and without clear accountability. I know that this has been touched on, but it is really important. Ofcom explicitly includes only user to user or search, so one to one, which is actually where there are some of the most acute harms, is not covered. Will the Minister commit to working with Ofcom on classification, so we can ensure the responsible use of this technology and protect children from the unregulated harms of the growing dependence on chatbots?
Let me be very clear: of course we will. We have already both engaged with Ofcom and commissioned further work on this question, and we will report on that at the earliest opportunity.
Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy