Written questions, answers and statements

Internet: Disinformation

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Question for Department for Science, Innovation and Technology

UIN 21490, tabled on 19 December 2024

Question

Sarah Smith
Labour
Hyndburn
Commons

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to tackle online disinformation.

Answer

Feryal Clark
Labour
Enfield North
Commons

Answered on

9 January 2025

Our immediate focus is getting the Online Safety Act (OSA) implemented quickly and effectively. The OSA sets out a clear regulatory framework to tackle both mis- and disinformation where it constitutes illegal content or harmful content to children.

In addition, through our work on media literacy, we are taking steps to empower users with the skills they need to engage critically with online content. Since 2022, we have provided almost £3million in funding to projects helping citizens make safer, more informed decisions online.

Officials also regularly meet with major social media platforms to discuss disinformation activity, emerging risks and platforms’ responses.

Answered by

Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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