2nd Report – Social media, misinformation and harmful algorithms
Select Committee
Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
HC 441
11 July 2025
Recommendations
4 results
11
Accepted
Compel social media platforms to embed tools for deprioritising fact-checked misleading content.
Recommendation
Following our Principles 2 and 3, the government should compel social media platforms to embed tools within their systems that identify and algorithmically deprioritise fact-checked misleading content, or content that cites unreliable sources, where it has the potential to cause …
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Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the issue and urges providers to counter misinformation, but does not commit to compelling platforms to embed new tools. It notes that the Online Safety Act (OSA) focuses on illegal or child-harming content and that most major platforms already employ fact-checking and algorithmic deprioritisation, which the government supports.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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19
Accepted
Introduce duties for platforms to undertake risk assessments on harmful misinformation.
Recommendation
In line with Principle 5, transparency, the government should introduce duties for platforms to undertake risk assessments and reporting requirements on legal but harmful content, such as potentially harmful misinformation, with a focus on the role of recommendation algorithms in …
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Government Response Summary
The government states the Online Safety Act (OSA) already introduces duties for platforms, compelling Ofcom to require transparency reports on safety-related issues, including information on the dissemination of content and how algorithms function. The OSA also empowers adult users regarding certain legal but harmful content.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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27
Accepted
Pass legislation requiring generative AI platforms to conduct risk assessments and implement user safeguards.
Recommendation
To protect citizens from the AI-exacerbated spread of misinformation and harm, the government should pass legislation that covers generative AI platforms, bringing them in line with other online services that pose a high risk of producing or spreading illegal or …
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Government Response Summary
The government believes the Online Safety Act takes a proportionate approach by focusing on illegal or harmful content to children, requiring services to undertake risk assessments, and holding Category 1 services to account over the enforcement of their terms of service.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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29
Accepted
Mandate generative AI platforms to automatically label AI-generated media with metadata and watermarks.
Recommendation
To effectively tackle amplified misinformation as per Principle 1, the government should work with relevant experts and platforms to develop technology that automatically detects AI-generated media, meeting mis/ disinformation at its source. It should mandate all generative AI platforms, and …
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Government Response Summary
The government responds by highlighting its past initiative, the Deepfake Detection Challenge, which brought together experts to develop solutions for detecting synthetic media. However, it does not commit to working with platforms to develop new detection technology or mandating automatic labelling of AI-generated media with metadata and watermarks.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
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Conclusions (6) Observations and findings — click to expand
2
Conclusion
Accepted
We launched this inquiry in the wake of the riots that followed the horrific attack in Southport in 2024. We received overwhelming evidence that online activity, including social media recommendation algorithms amplifying harmful and misleading content, played a key part in driving the unrest and violence. Social media companies’ responses …
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's findings, acknowledging that it is appropriate for providers to receive clear guidance on how to respond to crises that could lead to the rapid spread of illegal content online.
5
Conclusion
Accepted
Social media and other online platforms have huge power and reach into our lives, with positive and negative impacts. They can democratise knowledge and access to the public sphere, and help to build social connections and global communities. Generative AI provides further opportunities in terms of productivity, creativity and content …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the challenges and the need for regulation, stating it is already addressing the issues through the regulatory provisions of the Online Safety Act 2023 and ongoing efforts to enhance media literacy.
7
Conclusion
Accepted
The technology used by social media companies should be transparent, explainable and accessible to public authorities, as stated in our Principle
Government Response Summary
The government states that the Online Safety Act (OSA) will deliver greater transparency and accountability through Ofcom's duties, mandatory annual transparency reports, and user empowerment features, thereby addressing the committee's principle.
12
Conclusion
Accepted
As per Principle 4, users should have more control over the content that is pushed to them online. Government should mandate all online services with a content recommendation algorithm to give the user a ‘right to reset’, which would delete all data stored by their recommendation algorithm, in the manner …
Government Response Summary
The government states that while there is no specific 'right to reset' legislation, existing powers and protections under the Online Safety Act (OSA) and UK GDPR, such as the right to erasure and user control features, collectively achieve the committee's objective.
16
Conclusion
Accepted
The Online Safety Act will lead to some improvements, but is designed only to protect users from harm that is illegal or affects children. The decision not to include measures related to the algorithmic amplification of “legal but harmful” content, such as misinformation, means that full enforcement of the Act …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the committee's concern but defends the Online Safety Act's proportionate approach, which focuses on illegal content and content harmful to children. It highlights that the OSA holds Category 1 services accountable for their terms of service, mentions its media literacy strategy, and notes platforms already employ fact-checking and algorithmic deprioritisation.
17
Conclusion
Accepted
It is vital that platforms are held responsible for the algorithmic spread of misleading or deceptive content that can radicalise and harm users. The few measures in the Act that address misinformation fall short. The False Communications offence is vaguely worded and will be difficult to implement; the advisory committee …
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of countering misinformation, but defends the Online Safety Act's proportionate approach which targets illegal content and content harmful to children. It emphasizes that Category 1 services are accountable for their terms of service, references its media literacy strategy, and notes platforms' existing fact-checking and algorithmic deprioritisation efforts.