(2 months, 2 weeks ago)
Lords ChamberTo ask His Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect freedom of expression in the course of their work on combating disinformation.
My Lords, the noble Lord, Lord Strasburger, is participating remotely.
My Lords, I draw the attention of the House to my role as chair of Big Brother Watch and beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
(10 months, 1 week ago)
Lords ChamberMy Lords, we now have a virtual question from the noble Lord, Lord Strasburger.
My Lords, the cancel culture to which my noble friend referred in his original Question is just one illustration of the Government’s distaste for challenge and dissent. Other examples are the attempts to stop some workers expressing their views by industrial action, and the outrageous sanctioning of peaceful protest. Why are the Government so scared of citizens expressing their critical opinions?
(2 years ago)
Lords ChamberThe noble Lord, Lord Strasburger, will now contribute remotely.
My Lords, this technology is used by the Chinese Government to micro-manage the lives of its citizens, so its use here needs strict rules and effective oversight. In the absence of legislation, the police have tried to regulate themselves by writing their own rules, but these are so vague that almost anything goes: targeting people who “may cause harm”, whatever that means. When will the Government do their job and legislate to control the risks of this technology?