TikTok: Bereaved British Parents

Lord Sandhurst Excerpts

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

We have put in place powers under the Data (Use and Access) Act, which established the data preservation process, to require Ofcom, when notified by a coroner, to issue a data preservation notice to the specified online service companies. Since coming into force on 30 September, Ofcom has issued at least 12 data preservation notices. As I mentioned, we are looking carefully at how this is working, at the speed at which this is taken forward and at what more needs to be done.

[Lord Sandhurst (Con)]

My Lords, further to the question from the noble Lord, Lord Russell, is the Minister confident that TikTok can be trusted when looking at the interests of children and young persons? Yes or no, please.

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

We have set a regime. This House passed the Online Safety Act. It is a regime supervised by Ofcom. We have given Ofcom the resources it needs to supervise against the Online Safety Act. We have made it clear that we back the use of those powers and, as we have seen recently, the Government are prepared to make it clear that they stand behind Ofcom in taking action where that is seen to be fitting.