Online Hate Speech

Debate between Baroness Lloyd of Effra and Baroness Whitaker

Tuesday 16th June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

The noble Lord raises the importance of being attentive and aware of the potential for foreign states to spread disinformation online, and through the Online Safety Act we have made the foreign interference offence from the National Security Act a priority offence that places clear legal duties on services to proactively assess risks, prevent users encountering foreign interference content and remove it swiftly where it appears. Ofcom set out in its publication last week some of the answers to the specific questions about definitions that the noble Viscount raises, but I am happy to write to him afterwards if that does not fully complete the answer to his question.

[Baroness Whitaker (Lab)]

Is my noble friend aware that online hate speech websites record just as virulent remarks about Gypsies and Travellers as about other protected minority ethnic groups? I have seen remarks such as, “Hitler had the right idea”, and “Bring back the gas ovens”. The children of the people who these things are said about go to school and experience extreme bullying. Can she try to ensure that it is explicitly recognised that Gypsies and Travellers are also a protected minority ethnic group, and also that the situation is exacerbated when the Leader of the Opposition in the other place stereotypes Gypsies and Travellers as getting away with crimes?

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

My noble friend is right to emphasise the importance of protecting all those with protected characteristics and stamping down on all sources that stir up hatred and division, whether that is online or offline. The Online Safety Act requires platforms to remove illegal content, including threats that stir up hatred based on race, religion or sexual orientation. My noble friend is right to highlight the importance of that to many different groups.