Social media, misinformation and harmful algorithms

Science, Innovation and Technology Committee Open Inquiry
Opened: 20 Nov 2024 Parliament page
Between 30 July and 7 August 2024, a wave of anti-immigration demonstrations and riots took place across the UK. Some targeted mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers, driven in part by false claims that spread on social media platforms relating to the killing of three children in Southport. Ofcom, the … Read more
14 Recommendations
23 Conclusions
1 Report
1 Oral session
8 Letters
1 Event
Activity timeline 12 events
17 Oct
2025
Report published
11 Jul
2025
Report published
2 May
2025
Correspondence
2 May
2025
Correspondence
2 May
2025
Correspondence
2 May
2025
Correspondence
29 Apr
2025
Correspondence
29 Apr
2025
Correspondence
29 Apr
2025
Correspondence
29 Apr
2025
Correspondence
25 Feb
2025
Oral evidence
25 Feb
2025
Formal meeting (oral evidence session) · Room 8, Palace of Westminster
Oral evidence sessions 1 session
25 Feb 2025
View on parliament.uk
Social media, misinformation and harmful algorithms
Ali Law · Sky Chris Yiu · Meta Wifredo Fernandez · X (formerly known as Twitter)
Title HC No. Published Items Response
2nd Report – Social media, misinformation and harmful algorithms HC 441 11 Jul 2025 37 Responded
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
Clear
9 Recommendation Deferred
2nd Report – Social media, misinfo…
Commission independent research into social media algorithms amplifying harmful content with full data access
There is a shortfall in data needed to accurately analyse the scale of the problem and identify policy solutions. In line with our Principle 4, the government should commission a large-scale research project into how far social media recommendation systems … Read more
Government Response
The government states that Ofcom, as the independent online safety regulator, is best placed to judge and undertake research into content recommender systems, rather than the government commissioning a project directly. It also points to the Data (Use and Access) Act, which will create a future framework for independent researchers to access online safety data.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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10 Recommendation Deferred
2nd Report – Social media, misinfo…
Publish government conclusions on harm promoted by platform recommendation systems.
Based on the research described above, the government should publish conclusions on the level and nature of harm that these platforms promote through their recommendation systems. Following our Principle 3, if significant harm is found, the responsible online services should … Read more
Government Response
The government redirects the recommendation to Ofcom, stating it is best placed to consider it, oversee risk assessments, and guide platforms on addressing harms from recommendation systems. It notes that Ofcom already possesses the power to impose fines of up to £18 million or 10% of worldwide revenue for non-compliance.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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28 Recommendation Deferred
2nd Report – Social media, misinfo…
Require generative AI providers to share internal data with independent online safety researchers.
Principle 5 is crucial for addressing potential harms from generative AI, as there is currently a serious shortfall in transparency and oversight of the platforms and systems that allow users to create AI-generated content. The government should require providers of … Read more
Government Response
The government states that provisions in the Data (Use and Access) Act empower the DSIT Secretary of State to create a future framework for independent researchers to access online safety data, which will provide a legislative footing for their research once implemented. This defers the specific requirement for generative AI providers to share data now.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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36 Recommendation Deferred
2nd Report – Social media, misinfo…
Mandate ‘Know Your Customer’ checks and platform data disclosure for digital advertising supply chain transparency.
The internet, and social media, could not operate without digital advertising. Given its implications for public safety, as per Principle 5, there needs to be heightened transparency in the market processes of online advertising. Government should mandate ‘Know Your Customer’ … Read more
Government Response
The government acknowledges concerns regarding trust and transparency in online advertising and commits to exploring options for 'Know Your Customer' checks, alongside other interventions, through its continued work with the Online Advertising Taskforce. However, it does not commit to mandating these checks or to ensuring platforms disclose full ad campaign data and allow independent third-party audits, as recommended.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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Government Response AI assessment · 36 of 14 classified
Accepted 10
Accepted in Part 1
Acknowledged 7
Deferred 4
Not Addressed 7
Rejected 7
Total 14 recs + 23 conclusions
Correspondence 8 letters
2 May 2025 Correspondence from Chair to X, in relation to follow-ups from the 25 February oral evidence session, dated 20 March 2025
Parliament page
2 May 2025 Correspondence from Chair to TikTok, in relation to follow-ups from the 25 February oral evidence session, dated 20 March 2025
Parliament page
2 May 2025 Correspondence from Chair to Google, in relation to follow-ups from the 25 February oral evidence session, dated 20 March 2025
Parliament page
2 May 2025 Correspondence from Chair to Meta, in relation to follow-ups from the 25 February oral evidence session, dated 20 March 2025
Parliament page
29 Apr 2025 Correspondence from X, Follow-ups from 25 February oral evidence session, 10 April, 2025
Parliament page
29 Apr 2025 Correspondence from TikTok, Follow-ups from 25 February oral evidence session, 10 April 2025
Parliament page
29 Apr 2025 Correspondence from Google, Follow-ups from 25 February oral evidence session, April 2025
Parliament page
29 Apr 2025 Correspondence from Meta, Follow-ups from 25 February oral evidence session, 9 April 2025
Parliament page