Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, whether existing laws are adequate where hostile actors use social media platform features to mass-mock victims rather than post explicit threats.

The Government is clear that antisemitism online is unacceptable. The Online Safety Act places duties on providers of regulated services to tackle illegal user-generated content and activity on their services, including content that stirs up hatred. These duties apply to user-generated content and interactions on a service, including functionalities such as emojis and reactions.

Where the use of reactions forms part of behaviour that amounts to illegal content or activity, providers must take appropriate action in line with their duties under the Act. Ofcom has broad powers to require information from platforms, including Meta, to fulfil their functions and ensure platform duties are met.