Article by Matthew Chapman for the Bureau of Investigative Journalism - published 8 December 2020 Mark Zuckerberg threatened to pull Facebook’s investment from the UK in a private meeting with Matt Hancock, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism can reveal. The minutes, from May 2018, show that an obsequious Hancock was eager to please, offering “a […]
Article by Sarah Marsh for The Guardian - published 7 December 2020 TikTok has launched an investigation and banned some search terms after the Guardian found harmful pro-anorexia content was still easily searchable despite measures taken by the social media company to prohibit the advertising of weight-loss products. The video app – one of the […]
Introductory remarks delivered to the 4th meeting of the International Grand Committee on disinformation and data privacy, 2 December 2020 Next year, the UK Parliament will debate a Government Bill to regulate Online Harms and establish that social media companies have a duty of care to their users, which includes the responsibility to act against […]
Article by Brian Fung for CNN Business - published 2 December 2020 A British member of Parliament blasted Facebook on Wednesday over its handling of anti-vaccine content and warned that the social media platform risks undermining Covid-19 vaccines just as vaccination programs are getting underway. “Today in the UK, the Pfizer vaccine has received regulatory approval and the […]
Article by Damian Collins MP and Stephen Kinnock MP for PoliticsHome - published 2 December 2020 We face new threats every day from the digital world, disinformation and fake news to dark ads and financial loopholes. As the Electoral Commission turns 20, we must make sure it’s fit to face the challenges of the future. […]
This week sees the end of the national covid lockdown and all parts of the country will experience positive changes to community life. High Street shops will be able to re-open including hairdressers and nail salons. Churches and other places of worship will open their doors once more. Outdoor activities like golf will be able […]
On Monday this week I was in the chamber of the House of Commons to hear the Prime Minister announce that the national COVID lockdown will end on 2 December to be replaced with a tiered system. This is obviously very good news, and this easing of the restrictions is a result of the success […]
Article for the Guardian by Alex Hern - published 24 November 2020 The information commissioner has criticised the “antiquated process” that led to Facebook getting hold of Cambridge Analytica’s servers before the UK regulator itself, and renewed calls for an international approach to data privacy to tackle the emerging threat of data havens. Elizabeth Denham, […]
Article by Ben Burrows for The Independent - published 23 November 2020 Outdoor grassroots sport will return when national lockdown measures are lifted next month. Prime minister Boris Johnson confirmed the move in a statement to the House of Commons on Monday where he outlined the next phase of restrictions. Grassroots sport, that has been […]
Article by Sean Axtell for KentOnline - published 22 November 2020 MPs are intensifying calls on the government to swing open church doors amid the pandemic for the Christmas period and beyond. The five Kent Tories today joined ranks with more than 70 Conservatives in a bid to forge forward with the controversial new measures. Churches and […]