(Brigg and Goole)
(Con): I, too, regret the short time we have to debate this
important Bill this evening. This is much-needed legislation and
I agree with many of the comments already made.
These platforms have been warned over the years to take action
yet have failed to do so. Their online platforms have remained a
safe space for racism, holocaust denial, homophobia, conspiracy
theories and general bullying. One of the best things I ever did
for my mental health was to leave Twitter, but for many young
people that is not an option as it cuts them off from access to
their friends and much of what is their society. So I am proud
that the Government are taking action on this but, as the
Minister knows from my meetings with him alongside
the Antisemitism Policy
Trust there are ways in which I think the Bill can
be improved.
First, on small, high-harm platforms, I pay tribute to
the Antisemitism Policy
Trust which has been leading the charge. As the
hon. Member for Aberdeen North () said, everybody knows
Facebook, Twitter and YouTube but few people are aware of a lot
of the smaller platforms such as BitChute, 8kun—previously
8chan—or Minds. These small platforms are a haven for white
supremacists, incels, conspiracy theorists and antisemites; it is
where they gather, converse and share and spew their hate.
(Pontypridd)
(Lab):...Another major omission from the Bill in as currently
drafted is its rather arbitrary categorisation of platforms based
on size versus harm. As mentioned by many hon. Members, the
categorisation system as it currently stands will completely fail
to address some of the most extreme harms on the internet. Thanks
to the fantastic work of organisations such as Hope not Hate and
the Antisemitism Policy
Trust we know that smaller platforms such as 4chan
and BitChute have significant numbers of users who are highly
motivated to promote extremely dangerous content.
