Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Online Safety Act: Implementation

Wednesday 17 April 2024 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ofcom is the independent regulator for the Online Safety Act and is working on its implementation with phased approaches and consultations.
  • The Government believe their online safety legislation places responsibility on social media companies rather than parents for child safety.
  • The Government are working to make it illegal to create content intended to humiliate and violate women, in addition to regulating its sharing online.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Vicky Ford Con
Context

The question is prompted by concerns over how quickly and effectively the Department is implementing the new Online Safety Act.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to implement the Online Safety Act 2023?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

Ofcom is the independent regulator of the Online Safety Act. The Government are working with it to implement the Act as quickly as possible, including the relevant secondary legislation. Ofcom is taking a phased approach to bringing the duties into effect and is consulting on guidance and codes of practice. Offences around serious online abuse came into effect on 31 January this year.

Answered
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Q2 Vicky Ford Con
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Concerns about children's online safety have prompted the suggestion of a 'child-safe phone' with enhanced parental controls.

Question

Does the Secretary of State agree that it is time to go even further and introduce a child-safe phone, ensuring all phones intended for children are properly fitted with parental controls?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

The Government produced world-leading legislation on online safety, which puts the onus on social media companies, not parents. I know that my right hon. Friend has spoken about information, which is particularly important to make it as easy as possible for parents. She raises an important issue about device-level controls, and I assure her that I am listening not just to Members of this House but to parents.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific commitment on child-safe phones or mandatory parental controls

How: Listening, Important Issue

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Q3 Alex Davies-Jones Lab Pontypridd
Science & Technology Women & Equalities
Context

The Government recently announced plans to criminalize the creation of deepfake pornography, but concerns remain over intent-based approach versus consent.

Question

Why are Ministers prioritising a man's right to have banter over a woman's right to feel safe? Will the Government look at the regulation of AI apps such as Nudify and ClothOff, which are freely available, easy to use and exist only to humiliate and violate women?

Answer from Michelle Donelan

I share the hon. Member's passion in this area, which is why we put it in the Online Safety Act with regard to the sharing of that content. We have now gone one step further, and are in the process of making it illegal to create that content in the first place.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific regulation of AI apps like Nudify and ClothOff

How: Passion, Sharing Of Content

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