Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the proposed SIM farm offence in the Crime and Policing Bill on the legitimate activities of journalists and broadcasters; whether they will ensure that that offence is not misapplied in ways that could hinder journalism; whether they will maintain transparent oversight of law enforcement practices; and whether they will conduct a policy review two years after the offence becomes law to assess its effectiveness and address concerns.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

We recognise the vital role that journalists and broadcasters play in our democracy and are committed to ensuring that legislation does not hinder legitimate journalistic activity.

The proposed SIM farm offence in the Crime and Policing Bill is designed to tackle the growing threat of fraud facilitated by the misuse of SIM farm devices, which allow criminals to send thousands of scam messages and conduct large-scale robocalling campaigns. These activities have contributed to a significant rise in fraud, which now accounts for over 40% of all reported crime in England and Wales.

We have extensively consulted on this policy, including with representatives from the media and communications sectors. As a result of this engagement, the legislation has been carefully drafted to include specific exemptions for legitimate uses, such as those by journalists and broadcasters. Clause 80 of the Bill explicitly provides that possessing a SIM farm for purposes such as broadcasting services constitutes a “good reason” under the law.

Furthermore, we continue to work closely with journalists and media organisations to ensure that the implementation of this offence does not impede their work. We are actively collaborating with stakeholders to develop clear guidance for law enforcement agencies. This guidance will help ensure that the offence is applied proportionately and that legitimate journalistic activities are protected, while also enabling effective action against those who use SIM farms to defraud the public.

Our approach balances the need to protect the public from fraud with the imperative to safeguard press freedom and legitimate communication practices.