Asked by: Lord Strathcarron (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government how they intend online intermediaries to combat misinformation and disinformation on their websites, as set out in their Draft Statement of Strategic Priorities for online safety, published on 20 November, when this is not explicitly referenced in the Online Safety Act 2023.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Online Safety Act requires companies to take action against mis/disinformation where it constitutes illegal content or content harmful to children. The Act will also ensure platforms are transparent and accountable to their users about what legal content they allow on their services and are consistent in its treatment.
The draft Statement of Strategic Priorities calls for Ofcom to enhance its media literacy initiatives, empowering users to critically assess potentially misleading online content. If Parliament approves the final statement, Ofcom must then set out how it will have regard to the priorities, including those relating to mis/disinformation, when exercising its functions.
Asked by: Lord Strathcarron (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the adequacy of the work of the National Security Online Information Team, and (2) the impact of that work on freedom of speech.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The work and remit of the National Security and Online Information Team (NSOIT) is kept under regular review by ministers. This includes the role which NSOIT played in responding to the recent public disorder following the tragic incident in Southport.
NSOIT’s commitment to protecting freedom of expression is embedded in its policies and practices. For example, NSOIT has a blanket ban on referring content from journalists and politicians to social media platforms. Its privacy notices are available on gov.uk.
Asked by: Lord Strathcarron (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what remit they intend to give to the National Security Online Information Team.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
NSOIT’s remit is to tackle the greatest national security risks and public safety which the UK faces from mis and disinformation. This revised remit is kept under regular review by ministers, including to support recent events surrounding Southport.
Asked by: Lord Strathcarron (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government what topics the National Security Online Information Team is currently monitoring.
Answered by Viscount Camrose - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
NSOIT’s role is to tackle the greatest national security risks facing the UK from mis and disinformation. It specifically looks at threats posed by foreign states, risks to elections and risks arising from the use of AI and deepfakes. This remit is kept under regular review by DSIT’s ministers.
Asked by: Lord Strathcarron (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the National Security Online Information Team flags social media posts that are deemed to be lawful to online platforms for potential breaches of terms of service.
Answered by Viscount Camrose - Shadow Minister (Science, Innovation and Technology)
As is the case with a range of national and international public and academic bodies, DSIT has trusted flagger status with the major social media platforms. The NSOIT is focused on the greatest risks to public safety and national security, which are agreed by ministers and regularly communicated to parliament. In specific circumstances, the NSOIT may flag online material where it is in line with ministerial steers, is on an issue within the team’s remit, and where the post appears to be in breach of the platform’s terms of service. Social media platforms decide whether or not content is a breach of their terms of service and, if so, what action to take.