The Government has published its response to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee’s Report on social media, misinformation and harmful algorithms.

We previously commented on the Committee’s Report here. It described the UK’s online safety regime as containing “major holes” and being “already out of date”, while warning that “social media business models incentivise the spread of content that is damaging and dangerous”.

The Committee’s recommendations were far-reaching, including calls for social media platforms to be treated as publishers, enabling Ofcom to fine them if they fail to take appropriate measures to address significant harm on their platforms. At the same time, the controversial concept of ‘legal but harmful content’ was revived, as the Committee argued that the Government should introduce duties for platforms to undertake risk assessments and reporting requirements for such content. It also recommended the introduction of a new arm’s-length body to “regulate and scrutinise the process of digital advertising, covering the complex and opaque automated supply chain that allows for the monetisation of harmful and misleading content”, and for legislation to be passed that addressed the risks associated with generative AI.

The Government response is, in many respects, a classic of its genre: long on discussion of the important points raised, but short on commitments to take further specific action. In fact, much of it is dedicated to defending Ofcom from the Committee’s criticisms and arguing that it – through the regime introduced by the Online Safety Act 20203 – is best placed to address many of the matters raised in the Report.

On the specific question of generative AI, the Government rejects the view that more legislation is needed and instead points to the work being done by both Ofcom and the AI Security Institute. Similarly, it declines to take any additional measures to address “concerns about trust and transparency in the Online Advertising ecosystem”, arguing that “any measures taken to address those concerns are carefully considered and do not unduly undermine the value that advertising brings to the wider Creative Industries and many other businesses across the economy”. It again points to the work of other bodies in this area, including the Advertising Standards Authority, Internet Advertising Bureau, and the Working Group of the Online Advertising Taskforce.

In all, while the response will likely disappoint the Committee, it offers helpful insight into how the Government envisions the evolving roles of Ofcom and other bodies in addressing the ‘gaps’ that the Committee identified.

To read the Government’s response in full, click here.