Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will hold discussions with social media companies on taking steps to help improve the consistency of access to social media in (a) Iran, (b) Myanmar and (c) other countries during periods of heightened political tension.

We publicly oppose governments who restrict or disrupt access to the internet or mobile platforms all with the aim of frustrating the exercise of democratic rights online, and we condemn online attacks against women and girls, including journalists, political candidates, or others engaging in public debate who are targeted for their expression. We also remain troubled by the way in which social media platforms enable the promulgation of disinformation and hate speech against minorities, for example the Rohingya in Myanmar. We are committed to working with the international community and our partners, including social media platforms, to promote a free, open, peaceful and secure cyberspace and see digital freedom win out over digital authoritarianism.