Oral Answers to Questions

Simon Danczuk Excerpts

Thursday 3rd March 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Whittingdale]

An awful lot of claims and counter-claims are made in this area, and not all of them stand up to close scrutiny. The Government intend to maintain a close watch over the issue, and any further changes that we introduce will be firmly evidence-based.

[Simon Danczuk (Rochdale) (Ind)]

8. What discussions he has had with the Home Secretary on ensuring that social media companies comply with police investigations into online crime.

[The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (Mr John Whittingdale)]

I have regular meetings with ministerial colleagues at the Home Office to discuss a range of issues.

[Simon Danczuk]

Companies such as Facebook often talk about corporate social responsibility, and I can think of nothing more responsible than co-operating with the police about death threats. Greater Manchester police have been waiting weeks for Facebook to help to identify those who made such threats to some Members of this House, not least me. Does the Secretary of State agree that Facebook and other social media need to do more to help the criminal justice system?

[Mr Whittingdale]

I expect all social media companies to assist the police and uphold the law. Those providing communication services to users in the UK have an obligation to comply with UK warrants that request the content of communications, and with notices requiring the disclosure of data. Perhaps the hon. Gentleman should bring that to the attention of Facebook, and indeed to Greater Manchester police, if such co-operation is not forthcoming.