House of Lords Inquiry Considers the Future of UK Internet Regulation

The House of Lords Communications Committee has launched a new inquiry that will investigate regulation of the internet, which among other things will examine “whether online platforms have sufficient accountability and transparency, and whether they use fair and effective processes to moderate content.”

Traditionally politicians in the House of Lords, many of which seem to lack a good technical understanding of that which they so often seek to make new laws upon, do not always produce the most workable of solutions. At the same time the internet, particularly social media sites, already seem to be facing a barrage of new regulation and pressure to tackle trolls, terrorism, copyright infringement, porn and everything in-between.

Nevertheless, such inquiries can also be a useful opportunity for debate, even if some of the most vital technical points do end up being lost in translation. The inquiry must also balance any issues raised against the need to support freedom of speech, privacy and respect for broadband ISPs as mere conduits of the information flow rather than controllers or police.

Lord Gilbert of Panteg, Committee Chairman, said:

“The internet has transformed the way we interact with one another and how we consume services and information. However, in its recent inquiries the Communications Committee has heard that the internet has become a platform for illegal and inappropriate behaviour, such as hate speech, the misuse of personal data and fraud.

We wish to build on our earlier work to explore how the internet could be better regulated. This might be through better self-regulation and it might be through specific legislation.”

Over the course of the inquiry the Committee will hear evidence on what information online platforms should provide to consumers about the use of their personal data and what responsibility online platforms should have for the content that they host. The deadline for submissions of written evidence is Friday 11th May 2018.

The Committee seeks evidence on questions including:

– Is there a need to introduce specific regulation for the internet?

– What should be the legal liability of online platforms for the content that they host?

– How effective, fair and transparent are online platforms in moderating content that they host?

– What role should users play in establishing and maintaining online community standards for content and behaviour?

– What effect will the United Kingdom leaving the European Union on the Government’s regulation of the internet?