Key Facts

• The Intellectual Property Office recognises AI's role in artistic creativity but lacks specific questions about performers' rights.
• Dr Mathilde Pavis highlights that AI-made performance synthetisation falls outside current UK copyright protections, leaving performers vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
• 93% of Equity members support the introduction of new legal protection for performers against AI reproduction without consent.
• Clause 15 addresses content of democratic importance and its implications for deepfakes.
• The motion is withdrawn after discussion and reassurance from the Minister.
• New Clause 27 aims to give Ofcom power to impose duties on regulated services that pose a very high risk of harm, equivalent to children’s safety standards.
• All companies have duties to address illegal content affecting children regardless of their size.
• Clause 31(3) sets out two tests for the child user condition: significant number of children using the service or likelihood of attracting child users.
• New clause 27 would allow Ofcom to impose additional duties even when there are no child users on a service.
• The new clause aims to address an asymmetry in the Bill regarding user empowerment features for child users.
• Platforms like Roblox, Fortnite, and Minecraft have significant numbers of child users (e.g., Roblox is about 70% children).
• The current provisions in the Bill protect children from harmful content through strong risk assessment duties.
• The new clause applies to user empowerment features provided under section 14.
• It includes content reporting systems or processes under sections 17 or 27.
• It covers complaints procedure under sections 18 or 28.
• Mencap raised the issue of accessibility for people with learning disabilities.
• Clauses 14(4), 17(2), and 18(2)(c) of the Bill ensure accessibility for all users, including those with learning disabilities.
• Ofcom is subject to the public sector equality duty under the Equality Act 2010.
• The clauses make it clear that adults can assist other adults in reporting content or making complaints.
• The proposed committee would consist of twelve members from both Houses of Parliament.
• It is designed to review codes of practice produced by OFCOM and monitor other relevant matters related to the Act's functioning.
• The Secretary of State must respond within three months to any recommendations made by the committee.
• The Joint Committee made 66 changes to the draft legislation.
• Clause 149 provides for a statutory review not before two years and not after five years of Royal Assent.
• The only current House Committee established by statute is the Intelligence and Security Committee under the Intelligence Services Act 1994.
• The discussion centres around New Clause 38 which aims to apply adults' risk assessment duties to pornographic sites.
• The clause details duties for internet service providers regarding keeping adult risk assessments up-to-date and conducting further assessments before significant changes are made.
• There is a reference to the need for flexibility in legislation to accommodate future technological developments.
• Big porn is recognized as a driver of image-based sexual abuse and child sexual abuse material.
• Over two decades, the porn industry has shown itself not to be trustworthy about regulating itself.
• The report by CEASE details harrowing harms proliferated by porn companies.
• MindGeek dominates the market but remains anonymous in leadership roles.
• New clause 38 seeks to identify pornography websites as providers of category 1 services and introduce a relevant code of practice with a specific regulator.
• New clauses 38 to 40 aim to align duties on user-to-user sites with published pornography sites.
• Charities have concerns about current definitions of 'pornographic content'.
• New clause 39 introduces a duty for services to summarise findings from adult risk assessments in their terms of service.
• New clause 40 includes measures like verifying content providers and reviewing all uploaded content to prevent illegal uploads.
• The new clause would allow Ofcom to co-operate with recognised self-regulatory bodies in the United Kingdom.
• OFCOM can disclose online safety information for tackling illegal content or criminal investigations.
• The Bill is silent on cooperation with UK regulators apart from limited references.
• Thanks are extended to Committee Chairs Ms Rees and Sir Roger Gale.
• Appreciation is expressed for the Clerks, Hansard reporters, and Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport civil servants.
• The Bill's complexity is noted, with it running to 194 clauses and 15 schedules across 213 pages.
• Alex Davies-Jones is content with the Minister’s assurance about new clause 41.
• The motion related to new clause 41 is withdrawn.
• OFCOM incurs costs before clause 75 comes into force.
• These costs are for preparing to regulate online safety services under the Bill.
• Additional fees will be charged over specified charging years as per regulations.
• New schedule 1 was tabled by Carla Lockhart.
• No member wished to move new schedule 1.
• The Committee has concluded its work and the Bill will now be reported.