Committee publication · Correspondence · 1 July 2026
Correspondence from Secretary of State, re: Belfast unrest and online content, 29 June
Summary
Secretary of State Liz Kendall responds to the Science, Innovation and Technology Committee's letter on online content's role in Belfast unrest. She outlines Ofcom's new crisis response measures requiring platforms to adopt protocols for rapid removal of illegal content during crises, and the government's broader 'Protecting What Matters' strategy to tackle legal but harmful content while protecting freedom of expression through algorithmic controls and media literacy initiatives.
Key findings
- Ofcom has expedited crisis response measures requiring user-to-user services to prepare crisis protocols, establish dedicated law enforcement communication channels, and limit harmful content during disorder incidents.
- New measures apply only to user-to-user services (social media, messaging where meeting the definition) and largest platforms (Category 1 services), deliberately excluding small community forums and search services based on risk assessment.
- Government commits to reviewing s175 crisis powers to give trustworthy media due prominence on platforms, countering mis- and disinformation during crises.
- Category 1 services will be required from next year to consistently enforce Terms of Service against mis-/disinformation, hate and inauthentic content, even below illegality threshold.
- Government exploring monetisation of harmful content through advertising revenue controls and expanding algorithmic user controls to reduce accidental exposure to divisive material.
Tone
SupportiveTopics
online-safetypublic-ordercontent-regulationmis-disinformationsocial-media
Key actors
Liz Kendall MP, Chi Onwurah MP, Ofcom, Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, UK Government (DSIT)
Notable line
“… we will not tolerate platforms being used to spread harm, abuse or division.”
Key Quotes
“Like you, I recognise the critical importance of tackling online activity that contributes to unrest and disorder as seen in Belfast, and welcome the steps Ofcom is taking through the crisis response updates to its codes of practice.”
“There is no justification for the violence and disorder that we saw threatening our communities, nor for those who encouraged it, online or elsewhere.”
“Ofcom's codes will now include a clear expectation that services adopt key measures to limit the role of harmful content in contributing to disorder.”
“I therefore do not agree that all services under the scope of the Act, such as small community forums, should be subject to these measures.”
“The regime is already built to anticipate and adapt to change. I have already used Secretary of State powers to bring new harms into scope and to prioritise certain types of illegal content …”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗