Tuesday 29 March, 9.30am, Committee Room 8, Houses of
Parliament
The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee will question
Ofcom, the Information Commissioner (ICO) and the Department of
Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) in the final session of
its inquiry into social media,
misinformation and harmful algorithms.
In the first panel, the cross-party committee will question
Ofcom, the regulator for online safety, and the ICO, the
information rights and data privacy regulator. Members will
likely explore whether the Online Safety Act (OSA) is fit for
purpose, Ofcom's interpretation of the OSA and whether the slow
pace of implementation hinders the regulator from keeping pace
with tech developments.
MPs may also ask about the digital advertising market, including
how it relates to the business models of social media platforms
and how it may monetise harmful content online, as well as the
relationship between regulators when it comes to online safety.
In the second panel, MPs will question the Minister for Online
Safety and DSIT's Director for Security and Online Harms to
scrutinise DSIT's role with regard to social media. Questions may
focus on the response of social media platforms to the 2024
summer riots, whether the OSA needs to go further to tackle
online harms such as misinformation and disinformation, and
whether Ofcom has the power to effectively enforce the act.
MPs could investigate the recent weakening of terms of service on
social media platforms, the regulation of generative AI and
digital advertising online, and whether changes in the US
administration will impact UK online safety.
Witnesses at 9.45am:
- Mark Bunting, Director, Online Safety Strategy Deliver,
Ofcom
-
, Information
Commissioner
Witnesses at 10.45am:
-
,
Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Future Digitial
Economy and Online Safety
- Talitha Rowland, Director for Security and Online Harms,
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Showcase at 9.30am:
Ahead of the main evidence session, the committee will hear from
CoolLED in a short slot as part of its showcase of UK
innovators
- Jake Davies, Managing Director, CoolLED
/ENDS
Notes to Editors:
- The committee's inquiry into social media, misinformation and
harmful algorithms was launched in November 2024. More details on
the inquiry, including previous evidence sessions and witnesses,
can be found here.
- The Committee's Innovation Showcase
explores whether the UK does enough to champion science and
tech start-ups and scale-ups. The Committee hears from
innovative companies and researchers through a short ‘showcase
session' before the main evidence session each week
