Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to close down online websites and platforms that host illegal pornographic material.

The Online Safety Act gives online platforms new duties to tackle illegal content on their services, including illegal pornography. Ofcom as the new regulator for this regime will have extensive enforcement powers if platforms fail to fulfil their duties. These include powers to impose heavy fines on services, and also to apply to the Courts for business disruption measures. These include orders that require third parties to restrict access to non-compliant services in the UK, e.g. blocking via internet access services or app stores.

Separate to provisions in the Online Safety Act, the Pornography Review, led by Independent Lead Reviewer Baroness Gabby Bertin, is exploring the effectiveness of regulation, legislation and the law enforcement response to pornography. The government expects the Review to present its final report by the end of the year.