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Role of Big Tech in Society
23 June 2026
Lead MP
Mark Pritchard
The Wrekin
Con
Responding Minister
Kanishka Narayan
Tags
Democracy & ElectionsScience & Technology
Word Count: 10572
Other Contributors: 15
At a Glance
Mark Pritchard raised concerns about role of big tech in society in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Mr. Pritchard asks the Government to establish their own centre for tech research and development to ensure national control over critical technologies and data, rather than outsourcing everything to private companies. He calls for smarter regulation of tech firms and more competition within the industry to rebalance the relationship between government and big tech.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Mr. Mark Pritchard is concerned about the growing reliance on big tech companies by governments, which he sees as a strategic risk to national sovereignty and democracy. He notes that while private sector collaboration can benefit government efficiency, it also poses risks of power ceding to large tech firms without democratic oversight or accountability. He mentions that some major figures in technology have expressed skepticism towards democracy, questioning whether big tech is politically neutral.
Adam Dance
Lib Dem
Yeovil
Adam Dance thanked Mark Pritchard for securing the debate and expressed concerns about enforcing a blanket ban on harmful social media, which could see young people turn to unregulated content via virtual private networks. He also highlighted the importance of protecting creative industries from unauthorized use of artists' work by AI models and advocated for assistive technology development. Dance questioned how discussions with big tech companies are addressing accessibility issues for neurodiverse individuals and called for a meeting with the Minister on this topic. He raised concerns about fraud and scams targeting vulnerable people, including veterans who have fallen victim to misleading investment courses leading to bankruptcy. Asked questions regarding compliance with social media bans for under-16s, and the Government's support for offsetting opportunities lost due to the ban.
Ann Davies
PC
Caerfyrddin
Ann Davies highlighted both benefits and harms brought by technology, welcoming the Government's announcement on banning children from social media but criticising the delay in action. She questioned the Government's lack of proactive measures to address AI superintelligence risks. Critiqued the government's approach to online safety, suggesting it was not proactive enough on national security concerns.
Stoke Newington and Hackney North and Claybrook
Highlights concerns over Palantir's dominance in Government contracts worth over £900 million, spanning 10 Departments. Expresses worries about data access and the need for transparency before exercising a break clause in February 2027. Concerned about the unchecked expansion of Palantir Technologies, Bell Ribeiro-Addy cited its involvement in 34 current and past Government contracts across at least 10 Departments, totalling a minimum of £900 million. She called for the use of the February 2027 break clause with Palantir. Raised concerns about concentration in big tech companies and mentioned a supplier contract review for the NHS federated data platform.
Bobby Dean
Con
Carshalton and Wallington
He discussed the dominance of big tech companies and their impact on economic independence and national security. He advocated for greater focus on tech sovereignty through collaboration with like-minded states to enforce regulations and shift power dynamics. Discussed pension funds' allocation to British equities and AI technology, raising the balance of power question.
Brian Leishman
SNP
Alloa and Grangemouth
He expressed concern about the proposed AI data centre in Larbert, Scotland, highlighting nearly 1,800 objections from local residents and the potential environmental impact. He noted that the data centre would produce significant pollution and noise, affecting a hospital, care home, and densely populated residential area. Expressed concerns about a specific data centre project, noting potential conflicts with clean energy goals.
Questions the right hon. Gentleman on the pervasive nature of disinformation campaigns, advocating for stricter regulations to challenge harmful content on social media platforms.
Gordon McKee
SNP
Linlithgow and East Falkirk
Congratulates the right hon. Gentleman on securing an important debate, suggesting that discussions about big tech are primarily about sovereignty and developing more technology within the UK or Europe. The hon. Member for Glasgow South pointed out the importance of considering who owns and controls data, suggesting that tech companies' shareholders may not share democratic values.
Epsom and Ewell
She highlighted the UK's £1 trillion technology ecosystem, emphasising the need for a digital sovereignty strategy to support British tech. She also called for stricter regulations on social media companies to tackle misinformation, proposing film-style age ratings based on harm and addictiveness. Maguire referenced specific incidents in Epsom and Ewell where misinformation was spread leading to public disorder.
Helen Morgan
LD
North Shropshire
Joined in discussing pension fund allocations and the importance of a balanced portfolio towards British tech and AI.
John Milne
Lab
Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock
Shared an incident where scammers impersonated the local council demanding penalty charges from vulnerable residents. Quoted Hany Farid's concerns about deepfakes, questioning the need for tech companies to establish a statutory code of ethics through an AI regulator.
Navendu Mishra
Lab
South Basildon and East Thurrock
Discussed concerns over big tech companies harvesting personal data, surveillance in marketing promotions, and tracking through map applications. Highlighted issues such as pupils missing school due to social media addiction, lack of political neutrality by certain platforms, and the need for stronger regulation and digital services tax. Emphasized the importance of cyber-security and data sovereignty, advocating for a Government analysis on open-source software similar to initiatives in France and Germany. Discussed the importance of open source and raised concerns about children's experiences on social media impacting educational attainment.
Penrith and The Border
Mr. Neil Duncan-Jordan raises concerns about the influence of big tech companies over daily life and democratic processes. He warns that without robust regulation, society could face an unpredictable future due to AI's development primarily for profit rather than public benefit. Mr. Duncan-Jordan also proposes considering an employment levy on companies replacing large workforces with AI. Discussed the security of AI in public policy and the need for infrastructure to give individuals greater control over their data.
Peter Fortune
Con
Bromley and Chislehurst
The hon. Member for Bromley and Biggin Hill noted that no monopoly, whether public or private, is beneficial to constituents, consumers, and small businesses. The UK's technology sector contributes £207 billion in gross value added and supports around 2.6 million jobs, driving productivity and global competitiveness. However, market concentration among large tech firms such as Apple, Google, Amazon Web Services, and Microsoft could stifle competition and limit opportunities for emerging British firms.
Expresses concern over legislators' ability to regulate fast-moving technology, questioning how they can keep pace with a world that evolves faster than legislative processes. Asked about the impact of new AI software and cyber-security, specifically mentioning that the US Government has blocked Claude's AI software Fable 5.
Steve Yemm
Lab
North Tyneside
Mr. Steve Yemm is concerned about the power of a handful of technology companies in shaping how people communicate, shop, work and receive news. He questions whether society is being reshaped to serve these firms' interests rather than the other way around. Mr. Yemm highlights the urgent need for stronger competition policy, public data use in the public interest, protection from harmful online environments, and support for British innovation. Asked about stronger competition measures and online safety regulations, commending government actions on social media bans.
Government Response
Kanishka Narayan
Government Response
Responded to multiple MPs, addressing questions on technology regulation, open-source development, social media bans for under-16s, compliance measures, youth opportunities post-ban, data centre concerns, pension fund allocations, sovereignty strategy, competition enforcement, and AI security. Noted the government's commitment to British values, innovation in open source, robust online safety legislation, support for youth activities, contract reviews for NHS platforms, proactive national security initiatives, clean energy considerations in data centres, strategic investment in technology equities, diversification of chip company engagement, full-fat British capability building, and continuous evaluation of AI risks through state institutions.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.