GovernmentConsiders New Measures to Curb Misinformation Amid Social Unrest

Liz Kendall, the technology secretary, said the government is exploring new measures to stop misinformation from spreading during public crises, and she pledged not to be silenced by Elon Musk’s X platform.

She made the remarks following recent riots in Southampton, triggered by the police handling of the fatal stabbing of Henry Nowak, a case that Musk has repeatedly highlighted.

She expressed deep concern about the influence of social media platforms during periods of unrest and said that, especially in moments of crisis and heightened public safety, further action is needed.

Kendall referenced a recent report from the House of Commons Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, which urged Ofcom to adopt crisis‑response protocols that would hold platforms accountable for misinformation.

The regulator has opened a consultation on the matter, with further details slated for release this month. The committee’s inquiry was triggered by the summer 2024 riots, during which misinformation spread rapidly after the murder of three girls at a Southport dance class.

The report concluded that false and hateful messages spread quickly online, largely due to the recommendation algorithms of major social media firms.

Kendall said the government is considering ways to strengthen trusted information sources and to give users tools to reset their algorithmic feeds.

She added that many people feel the misinformation is inevitable and that making it easier for users to initiate a reset of their feeds is a priority she is re‑examining.

Chi Onwurah, the committee chair, asserted that the government must take stronger action against online misinformation, noting that the Online Safety Act is fundamentally inadequate and riddled with gaps, and that most of the committee’s improvement proposals were rejected.

The secretary of state later told the committee the report was excellent, but a year later no updates to the Online Safety Act have been implemented, and the existing regulation remains insufficient.

On Thursday, Keir Starmer accused Musk of interfering in domestic politics. Nevertheless, Kendall replied that she understood her colleagues’ reluctance to engage on social platforms, but she would not be driven off any service.

She pledged to disseminate the government’s message to all audiences, emphasizing that the administration represents hope rather than hate.

Musk has repeatedly brought attention to the Nowak case among his 240 million X followers. A recent post that quoted far‑right MP Rupert Lowe’s comment “RAGE” reached over 25 million views.

Kendall’s most recent X post, announcing a visit to Liverpool University to underscore public funding for innovation, attracted 5,500 views and was shared eight times.

Labour MP Jess Asato has initiated legal proceedings against Musk’s xAI subsidiary, alleging that its Grok AI system produced demeaning, sexualised content that was widely circulated on X earlier this year.

The prime minister commended Asato’s decision on Thursday, stating that she was entirely justified in taking action.

A 2023 Amnesty International analysis asserted that X’s algorithms amplified hate to a staggering degree following the Southport murders.

The committee noted that the Online Safety Act, not yet fully enforced during the 2024 riots, lacked sufficient provisions to curb misinformation.

Kendall observed that the conception and rollout of the Act has taken eight years — far too long given the rapid evolution of technology. She argued that, just as MPs pass a finance bill annually, the government should be able to expedite regulatory updates.

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