Digital Exclusion 2024-05-22
2024-05-22
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
▸
Context
The issue of digital exclusion is highlighted, with a focus on the need for cross-governmental efforts and specific strategies to ensure that everyone can participate in the digital age.
What steps her Department is taking to help tackle digital exclusion. The Government's latest digital inclusion strategy was written 10 years ago. Does the Minister accept that there are good reasons why many older people want to be able to look somebody in the eye when making investments or doing their banking?
Choice is important, which is why our digital inclusion approach cuts across many Departments. I am sorry to hear the case of the hon. Gentleman's constituent. I am happy for him to write to me, and I can talk to him about our national fraud strategy as well.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not address the specific concerns regarding outdated strategies or provided any concrete steps beyond referencing cross-departmental efforts.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
▸
Context
A constituent of the MP lost over £108,000 due to a digital scam. The issue highlights the necessity for trust in online transactions.
My constituent let me know that by clicking on a dodgy link, he was tricked into making an investment of over £108,000, which turned out to be a scam. Does the Minister accept that there are good reasons why many older people want to be able to look somebody in the eye when making investments or doing their banking?
Choice is important, which is why our digital inclusion approach cuts across many Departments. I am sorry to hear the case of the hon. Gentleman's constituent. I am happy for him to write to me, and I can talk to him about our national fraud strategy as well.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide any specific measures or commitments regarding digital scams and trust issues in online transactions.
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
▸
Context
There is a growing need to understand the impact of digital technology on society, democracy, and children. The data held by tech companies is currently not accessible for research or regulation.
The impact of the digital world on our lives is growing every day, but we do not yet know enough about the consequences for society, democracy or, indeed, our children, because the data held by tech companies is not visible to the Government, regulators, researchers or the public. Will my hon. Friend update the House on measures to open up access to this data, and will he commit Government support for the amendments to the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill tabled in the other place by Lord Bethell?
I thank my hon. Friend for all her campaigning on this and other online safety-related issues; we have had a number of engagements. The Government said very clearly that we would explore the issue of data access for researchers into online safety during the passage of the Online Safety Act 2023. We are aware of the amendments tabled to the DPDI Bill, and I encourage my hon. Friend to watch this space, as we will be reporting in due course.
▸
Assessment & feedback
The Minister did not provide a concrete commitment or timeline for supporting the data access amendments but stated they would report on the matter in due course.
Response accuracy