Committees

Trade associations give evidence on internet regulation

21 May 2018

The Communications Committee continues hearing evidence for its inquiry 'The Internet: to regulate or not to regulate?'. The Committee questions trade associations which represent technology and software companies, as well as representatives from the Centre for Policy Studies, Demos and the Institute for Public Policy Research.

Background

In this session the Committee covers topics including whether online platforms should be more transparent about their use of algorithms. The Committee also considers the Australian system of internet regulation which imposes a greater regulatory burden on large social media service providers than their smaller competitors.

Witnesses

Tuesday 22 May, Committee Room 2, Palace of Westminster

At 3.30pm

  • Dom Hallas, Executive Director, COADEC
  • Antony Walker, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, techUK

At 4.30pm

  • Robert Colvile, Director, Centre for Policy Studies
  • Jamie Bartlett, Director, Centre for the Analysis of Social Media (CASM) at Demos
  • Laurie Laybourn-Langton, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR)

Possible questions

Over the course of the session the Committee is likely to ask questions including:

  • To what extent should online platforms be liable legally for the content that they host?
  • What assessment have you made of Australia's adoption of a tiered system of online regulation, which imposes greater regulatory burdens on larger social media service providers, as a means of ensuring that regulation is proportionate and flexible for smaller companies and start-ups?
  • Is competition law effective in regulating the activities of platforms?
  • What risks are there for the UK post-Brexit in this regard given that most competition regulation in this field is currently carried out at the EU level?
  • Could the use of automated content filtering systems which use algorithmic processes to identify harmful content provide a means for effective self-regulation by platforms?
  • In developing new technologies what steps should businesses take to ensure that their online services are designed to operate fairly for users and in the interests of society?

Further information

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