Recommendations and responses related to the Internet investigation report

Recommendation

The government should require industry to pre-screen material before it is uploaded to the internet to prevent access to known indecent images of children.

Responses

On 10 November 2020, the UK Government noted that it had launched the Voluntary Principles to Counter Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse. The interim code of practice on tackling child sexual exploitation and abuse and the Voluntary Principles, set out the UK Government’s expectation that all companies will prevent access to known child sexual abuse material, which includes pre-screening. 

On 12 May 2021, the UK Government published the draft Online Safety Bill. The Bill includes a clause that imposes duties on regulated search services with regards to illegal content, which includes child sexual abuse and exploitation material. The clause requires service providers to ensure they have proportionate systems and processes to minimise the risk of users encountering illegal content that the provider knows about on their services because they have been alerted to it or they become aware of it in some other way.

Recommendation

The government should introduce legislation requiring providers of online services and social media platforms to implement more stringent age verification techniques on all relevant devices.

Responses

On 10 November 2020, the UK Government noted that it expects age assurance methods, including age verification, will play a key role in the online harms regulatory framework. The UK Government stated it is working closely with stakeholders to consider what could be delivered ahead of, and through, the online harms regulatory framework. Ahead of legislation, the Government stated that it will publish guidance on embedding ‘safety by design’ principles into the design and development of online products and services. The Government noted that this will serve as best practice for reducing online harms for users, especially children. 

On 29 June 2021, the Government published online safety guidance including child online safety guidance for businesses and tech companies. The guidance is distinct and separate from the forthcoming regulatory requirements that will be introduced through the Online Safety Bill. The guidance advocates putting safety at the heart of a platform's design to minimise the risk of online harm occurring. It advises companies about providing an age-appropriate experience for children using tools such as age assurance and age verification methods.

On 12 May 2021, the UK Government published the draft Online Safety Bill. This includes a clause that providers of regulated services conduct an assessment of whether children are likely to access their service. The clause states that providers can only conclude that it is not possible for a child to access a service if there are robust systems and processes such as effective age verification measures in place that ensure children are not normally able to access the service. Part 6 of the Bill also provides for the powers of the Secretary of State to review the regulatory framework established by the Bill.

On 8 February 2022, the UK government announced that the Online Safety Bill will include a new legal duty that requires all sites hosting pornographic material to have age verification technology. Companies will be fined for not complying and senior managers would be held criminally liable.