knowledge and the key thing that government is doing there is actually being clear within the legislation as to what their powers will be. So not today but, yes, by the time the [Online Harms] Bill is in.[1]
289. On 12 May 2021, DCMS and the Home Office published the draft Online Safety Bill. Taking this legislation forward has obviously been a complex and lengthy process, as confirmed by the Home Secretary:
It's taken ages, it's taken a long time to get to where we are today. That will indicate that there's been a lot of work, a lot of integrated work across DCMS, other government departments, shared equities, but also competing issues as well.[2]
Interim Code of Practice on Terrorist Content and Activity Online
290. Pending introduction of the Online Safety Bill, the Government also published (in parallel with its full response to the consultation on the Online Harms White Paper) an Interim Code of Practice, noting that:
these voluntary and non-binding interim codes will help companies begin to implement the necessary changes and bridge the gap until Ofcom issues its statutory codes of practice.[3]
291. The Interim Code of Practice on terrorism comprises five specific principles, which require companies to seek the following:
- Principle 1: Identify and prevent terrorist content and activity;
- Principle 2: Minimise the potential for searches to return results linking to terrorist activity,
- Principle 3: Facilitate and participate in industry collaboration to tackle terrorist use of the internet;
- Principle 4: Implement effective user reporting, complaints and redress procedure; and
- Principle 5: Support investigation and prosecution of individuals for terrorist offences.[4]
292. We asked if the voluntary Interim Code of Practice was being adhered to by the CSPs—Homeland Security Group confirmed that:
By and large we are seeing, yes, they [the CSPs] have all found it helpful because it helps to encapsulate what we want. There was a fair degree of engagement with the CSPs beforehand. So at this point . . . and it is quite
- ↑ Oral evidence - Home Office, 29 April 2021.
- ↑ Oral evidence - Home Secretary, 20 May 2021.
- ↑ DCMS and the Home Office, Online Harms White Paper: Full Government Response to the Consultation, 15 December 2020.
- ↑ DCMS and the Home Office, Interim Code of Practice on Terrorist Content and Activity Online, 15 December 2020.
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