Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking with social media firms to help tackle algorithmically accelerated misinformation.

The Online Safety Act (OSA) requires social media companies to tackle online misinformation and disinformation that is (a) illegal or (b) harmful to children.

These companies are required to carry out risk assessments that specifically consider how algorithms could impact online users’ exposure to illegal content, including illegal mis- and disinformation, and take steps to mitigate and effectively manage any identified risks.

Ofcom are currently consulting on a further set of targeted safety measures designed to make online services safer by design, including a new measure on moderating algorithms.