Social Media: Offensive Material

Baroness Fookes Excerpts
Tuesday 23rd March 2021

(3 years, 7 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Barran Portrait Baroness Barran (Con)
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Just to be clear, I was speaking on behalf of the Government in conversation with the police. The noble Lord will be aware that the primary responsibility for this matter sits with the Home Office. The police are independent in how they pursue these cases.

Baroness Fookes Portrait Baroness Fookes (Con)
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My Lords, I share the concern of the noble Lord, Lord McConnell, about ordinary people who are humiliated and persecuted. May I suggest to my noble friend that, when looking at strengthening the law, the Government look at increasing penalties on media companies that do not obey the laws? Nothing has more effect than hitting the pocket.

Baroness Barran Portrait Baroness Barran (Con)
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My noble friend is quite right and the framework will aim to protect all users, particularly children and vulnerable users. As for hitting the pocket, she may be aware that the maximum fine that can be levied in future will be 10% of global turnover.