Reports & recommendations
107 recommendations from 16 reports, each with the government response on the record. Filter by government response, report, nation or delivery status.
Reports (16)
Recommendations (4)
Publish interim online harms code of practice
The government should publish, without further delay, the interim code of practice in respect of child sexual abuse and exploitation as proposed by the Online Harms White Paper (published April 2019).
The Inquiry asked the government to publish an interim code of practice on child sexual abuse. In November 2020, HM Government stated that it was working with law enforcement agencies and other bodies to produce interim codes to bridge the gap until a regulator is operational (Home Office response, Nov 2020). In that November 2020 response, it confirmed that the interim code would be published alongside the full government response to the Online Harms White Paper (Home Office response, Nov 2020; Home Office, Nov 2020). The record holds nothing dated later than the response of November 2020 (Home Office response, Nov 2020).
Pre-screen material before upload
The government should require industry to pre-screen material before it is uploaded to the internet to prevent access to known indecent images of children.
The Inquiry asked the government to require companies to pre-screen material uploaded to the internet. In November 2020, HM Government stated that an interim code of practice on tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) set out its expectation that companies prevent access to known abuse material (Home Office response, Nov 2020; Home Office, Nov 2020). It noted that pre-screening is one way of preventing access, while recognising that responses vary according to the service offered (Home Office response, Nov 2020). The code builds upon voluntary principles launched with international partners to drive collective industry action (Home Office response, Nov 2020). The record holds nothing dated later than the response of November 2020 (Home Office response, Nov 2020).
WeProtect international action on CSAM
The government should press the WeProtect Global Alliance to take more action internationally to ensure that those countries hosting indecent images of children implement legislation and procedures to prevent access to such imagery.
The Inquiry recommended pressing the WeProtect Global Alliance to curb child abuse material overseas. HM Government stated in November 2020 that, as a permanent member of the alliance's management board, it provides strategic leadership to direct prioritisation and engagement with partner countries and technology companies (Home Office response, Nov 2020; Home Office, Nov 2020). It explained that the alliance was preparing for a 2021 summit in Brazil and working with regional bodies and individual countries to develop effective legislation (Home Office response, Nov 2020). While the response detailed legislative guidance and international engagement, procedures to prevent access to hosted imagery were not mentioned (Home Office response, Nov 2020). The record holds nothing dated later than the response of November 2020 (Home Office response, Nov 2020).
Online age verification legislation
The government should introduce legislation requiring providers of online services and social media platforms to implement more stringent age verification techniques on all relevant devices.
The Inquiry recommended that the government legislate for stricter online age verification across platforms and devices. In November 2020, HM Government stated that age assurance and age verification would play a key role in its upcoming regulatory framework for online services, though it did not mention devices (Home Office response, Nov 2020; Home Office, Nov 2020). It noted in November 2020 that platforms were expected to adopt proportionate tools to protect children and highlighted research it supported into the feasibility of identifying child users online (Home Office response, Nov 2020). It added in November 2020 that, ahead of legislation, it would publish guidance on embedding safety by design principles and develop practical advice for online companies (Home Office response, Nov 2020). The record holds nothing dated later than the response of November 2020 (Home Office response, Nov 2020).