Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Technology Companies: Accountability

Wednesday 10 September 2025 · 4 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ofcom has requested risk assessments from over 60 services, including smaller but high-risk platforms.
  • The Minister encourages all platforms to continue expanding their work on media literacy, embedding it into product design.
  • We will look closely at the evidence base and if there are found to be deficiencies in practice by any of the firms mentioned, we will take appropriate action.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Mohammad Yasin Lab Bedford
Culture, Media & Sport Mental Health
Context

Charities like the Molly Rose Foundation are concerned about compliance with UK regulations, especially regarding risk assessments for harmful content.

Question

On World Suicide Prevention Day, I welcome the Government’s action requiring online platforms to proactively protect users from illegal and harmful content. However, charities like the Molly Rose Foundation remain concerned that major platforms may not fully comply with UK regulations on risk assessments. What further steps is the Minister taking to ensure Ofcom enforces the law and responds robustly to any breaches?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Kanishka Narayan)

Ofcom has requested risk assessments from over 60 services, including smaller but high-risk platforms. The Minister acknowledges the importance of enforcing compliance with UK regulations to protect users from illegal content and harmful material online.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify concrete steps or additional measures beyond what Ofcom is already doing.

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Q2 Patrick Hurley Lab Southport
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

Yesterday's drop-in event aimed to teach people how to recognize conspiracy theories and misinformation online.

Question

I sponsored a drop-in event here in Parliament with Parent Zone to highlight the “hit pause” campaign, which aims to teach people to recognise conspiracy theories and misinformation online. Does the Minister agree that although we can make online platforms more accountable in other ways, these kinds of initiatives should be widely available to help equip people with the means to protect themselves when tech companies fail to take responsibility for content on their platforms?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Kanishka Narayan)

We welcome collaborative initiatives like Parent Zone's 'hit pause' programme. The Minister encourages all platforms to continue expanding their work on media literacy, embedding it into product design.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a direct yes or no answer and focused on broad encouragement rather than specific support for the initiative.

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Q3 Alan Mak Con Havant
Culture, Media & Sport Business & Trade
Context

The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 is seen as inadequate by the creative industries, who argue that foreign tech firms have more representation than British ones.

Question

When it comes to holding tech companies accountable for using copyrighted material on their platforms without consent, the Government’s Data (Use and Access) Act 1925 let down our creative industries. The Department’s new working groups on AI and copyright include just one British tech firm, alongside a host of foreign tech competitors. Will his Government now give our tech sector and creative industries the proper voice they deserve?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Kanishka Narayan)

We continue to listen as a new team. Across the board, we will look closely at the evidence and make sure that we are backing this country’s entrepreneurs and creators.

Not addressed: Did not commit to specific representation or changes in working groups.

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Q4 Gavin Robinson DUP Belfast East
Policing & Resources Crime & Law Enforcement Standards & Ethics
Context

There have been violent acts livestreamed on platforms like Facebook Live and TikTok, with perpetrators remaining anonymous.

Question

Over the last 10 days in my constituency, there have been five of the most appalling and violent acts by self-styled vigilante groups. In each case, they livestream on Facebook Live and TikTok LIVE. Those videos disappear, and the creators remain anonymous. There will be a criminal justice response, but may I ask the Minister to relook at the protections for those who continue not only to abuse and act racistly in our society, but to do so under the cloak of anonymity?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Kanishka Narayan)

This is an incredibly important issue. We will look closely at the evidence base and if there are found to be deficiencies in practice by any of the firms mentioned, we will take appropriate action.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not commit to immediate action or review without waiting for evidence.

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