MPs have 'no faith' in X and Meta to stem abuse

REPORT has called for strong- er oversight of social media platforms under the Online Safety Act to end abuse and intimida- tion towards MPs.

- SAM HALL

A REPORT has called for stronger oversight of social media platforms under the Online Safety Act to end abuse and intimidation towards MPs.

The report, by a cross-party group of MPs, sought to identify how “public attitudes towards politicians and inconsistencies in the criminal justice system” have contributed to the “normalisation of abuse and intimidation towards MPs”.

It calls for stronger oversight of social media platforms under the Online Safety Act 2023, including the introduction of an elections code of practice by Ofcom.

The report, by the Speaker's Conference on the security of MPs, candidates and elections, states: “Despite the steps Meta and X have taken to mitigate some of the problems with abuse on their platforms, abusive content continues to be an issue.

“Their failure to address the larger underlying issues that drive abuse demonstrates that they do not properly understand the damaging impact they are having on [UK] democracy.