Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Technology-enabled VAWG

Wednesday 26 March 2025 · 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 3 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Sarah Owen raised concerns about AI apps targeting teenagers and the risk to women and young people.
  • Chi Onwurah inquired about Ofcom's powers under the Online Safety Act 2023 to address harmful content before it becomes illegal.
  • Dr Ben Spencer questioned the Government regarding the Sullivan report and the implications of replacing biological sex data with gender identity data.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Sarah Owen Lab Luton North
Science & Technology Women & Equalities
Context

Sarah Owen referenced harmful AI applications targeting teenagers, which create non-consensual deepfakes. She cited these tools' disproportionate impact on women and young people.

Question

Like many, I have seen adverts for artificial intelligence apps targeted at teenagers boasting about their ability to create AI videos of non-consensual intimate acts between real people without their knowledge. These tools disproportionately hurt women and young people. What steps is the Secretary of State taking to protect women, girls, and young boys from this deeply malicious use of artificial intelligence, and will he take action against AI companies that promote these features?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Peter Kyle)

I am extremely grateful to my hon. Friend for her question because she raises an incredibly important point. It is one that was tackled in our manifesto—our promise of change for the country—and it is one that we are now delivering in government. We will bring forward amendments to the Data (Use and Access) Bill, and we are working closely with Baroness Owen in the House of Lords to make sure that they are effective. The creation of non-consensual deepfakes will become illegal, and they will be tackled into the future.

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Q2 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The question was raised in the context of evolving vectors for violence against women and girls, highlighting how social media algorithms can drive misogynist and extremist views among young men and boys.

Question

Does the Online Safety Act 2023 give Ofcom the powers to address these harms before they reach the threshold of illegality, and if so, how?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Peter Kyle)

I thank my hon. Friend in particular for the work she is doing on behalf of her Select Committee. It is incredibly important that we act in these areas. The powers that came in last week to take down illegal content, but also the powers that are coming in later this year in June, will mean that all those publishing content must make sure it is age-appropriate. That will be a step forward.

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Q3 Ben Spencer Con Runnymede and Weybridge
NHS Women & Equalities
Context

The Sullivan report highlighted serious failings in the collection and use of biological sex data, posing risks to health services, policing, and security. The Health Secretary has shown leadership on this issue.

Question

Tragically, flaws in data and its processing are posing grave risks to women and girls. The Sullivan report exposed serious failings in the collection and use of biological sex data, which is often being replaced with gender identity. When did he first have sight of the Sullivan report, and when does he intend to act on it?

Answer from The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Peter Kyle)

The hon. Gentleman is right to ask that question. The Government are acting on it, and the Health Secretary has been acting on it. I myself have contacted all Government Departments on the back of that important review to ensure that every Department is aware of it, of some of its contents, and of its relevance to different Departments, and I will be meeting the author in the coming days and weeks to ensure that she is satisfied with the action that the Government are taking.

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