Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, with reference to the oral statement of her predecessor of 12 February 2019, Official Report, column 773, for what reasons the terms of reference of the review of how online advertising is regulated have not yet been published; when she plans to publish details of that review; whether that review will include consideration of the effect of online advertising on young people’s wellbeing and the planet’s natural resources; and if she will make a statement.

Since the previous Secretary of State announced the DCMS review into how online advertising is regulated in the UK, my department has established a team to take this work forward, including further evidence gathering and stakeholder engagement.

This review will identify and address the systemic social and economic challenges that arise from online advertising. It will consider a range of options to ensure the UK's approach to regulating online advertising is fit for purpose, including measures to ensure users are sufficiently protected from harm.

The review will complement and build on other relevant work underway across government and in external organisations, which are due to report in the winter. This includes the Competition and Markets Authority’s market study into online platforms and digital advertising, the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation report on online targeting and the Information Commissioner’s Office’s work on adtech.

Further details will be set out in due course.