Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what information her Department holds on the extent to which social media platforms collect and monetise behavioural data from users under the age of 16; and what steps she is taking to limit that practice.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
DSIT does not hold information on behavioural data collected by platforms on users under the age of 16.
Where data collected by social media platforms constitutes personal data, under the UK’s data protection and privacy framework, its collection and use must be lawful, fair, transparent and secure.
Children should be given clear information about how their data will be used and they have the same rights as adults to access their data; request rectification; object to its processing or have it erased. Organisations offering online services directly to children must comply with the statutory Age Appropriate Design Code, and must seek parental consent to process the personal data of children under the age of 13.
Organisations that fail to follow these rules are subject to investigation and enforcement by the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO). The ICO is required to have particular regard to the fact that children merit specific protection when their personal data is processed.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment has been made of the adequacy of age verification mechanisms on social media platforms.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Ofcom are due to publish a report on age assurance by July 2026, which will assess the effectiveness of age assurance technologies for compliance with the child safety duties of the Online Safety Act.
Age assurance technologies play an important role in supporting the duties and ensuring that platforms are providing an age-appropriate experience for children on their services. Over 6,000 services are now using highly effective age assurance, and Ofcom’s analysis shows that, on average, 7.8 million UK visitors per day are accessing adult services who have deployed age assurance.
Asked by: Juliet Campbell (Labour - Broxtowe)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she is taking steps to improve reliability of broadband connection in the Bramcote area.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The government is committed to delivering nationwide gigabit coverage by 2032. Full-fibre technology will provide consumers with a faster but also more stable and reliable connection. People in the Bramcote area rightly expect to have the broadband connectivity they need to participate in the modern digital economy.
All communication providers, including those who operate in Bramcote, are subject to statutory obligations to ensure their networks and services remain available. They must take appropriate and proportionate measures to prepare for and reduce the risks of disruption occurring and report significant incidents to Ofcom, who have powers to investigate, enforce remedial measures and fine communications providers.