Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with (a) her US counterpart and (b) other international partners on regulation of social media platforms owned by companies based in countries where governments can compel access to user data.

Ministers and Senior Officials from across the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) meet regularly with international counterparts, both bilaterally and in multilateral fora, on a range of issues. This includes social media platforms, online safety, ownership and access to data, including related to companies based overseas. The United States is a key international partner in these areas and the Government works closely with US partners including under the US-UK Comprehensive Dialogue on Technology and Data.

The Government does not comment on discussions relating to specific cases/companies but will continue to work with partners to monitor and take appropriate steps to mitigate threats to UK data from all sources, including using regulation where necessary.