Every parliamentary written question tabled by Jess Asato this session, with the full answer and department. Back to the MP page.
Showing 1–9 of 9 · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Innovation and Technology, what assessment her Department has made of the potential merits of making UK AISI / Thorn's guidance entitled Recommended Practice for AI-G CSEA Prevention, published in December 2025, mandatory for AI developers to prevent the creation of AI-generated child sexual abuse material.
I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 15 January 2026 to Question UIN 104313.
Innovation and Technology, what recent discussions she has had with Ofcom on the disproportionate impact Physical Infrastructure Access costs have on the deployment of fibre optic broadband in rural areas.
As the independent regulator for telecommunications, Ofcom is responsible for making regulatory decisions in the fixed telecoms sector, including on the Physical Infrastructure Access (PIA) product.DSIT is engaging on this issue with Ofcom at an official level. In July, we published our draft Statement of Strategic Priorities for telecommunications, the management of radio spectrum, and postal services that sets out the Government’s view on infrastructure sharing in the fixed telecoms sector, including asking Ofcom to demonstrate greater transparency in how they calculate and set PIA prices.
Innovation and Technology, when her Department plans to publish the review on the impact of social media on young people’s wellbeing and mental health commissioned in November 2024.
The feasibility study into research on any causal impact of social media and smartphones on children’s mental health and wellbeing has been completed. My department is considering the study’s recommendations for further research, and the report will be published in due course.
Innovation and Technology, whether her Department has (a) implemented a domestic abuse policy for staff and (b) trained line managers to effectively respond to staff who are experiencing domestic abuse.
DSIT is committed to supporting employees experiencing domestic abuse. We provide comprehensive advice to these employees and their managers including how to identify abuse, actions which colleagues and managers can take, and links to organisations providing advice and support. Our guidance also covers the actions of perpetrators and how disciplinary action would be implemented.In July 2024 we implemented Domestic Abuse Guidance for employees and line managers. Line managers can access departmental online information and 121 support is available for the line manager where this is needed for specific instances of domestic abuse.
Innovation and Technology, whether his Department plans to promote the use of provenance metadata on content shared online to help reduce disinformation.
Government recognises the potential for online mis- and disinformation to undermine public trust in the information environment. Mis- and disinformation should be tackled through a multi-faceted, whole of society approach. Solutions that enable users and institutions to critically evaluate information online, including discerning whether a piece of content is AI-generated, are a key part of this approach.We recognise the interest in the use of provenance and metadata to identify AI-generated and modified content. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is working with other government departments and agencies to explore these technologies, alongside other technical measures.
Innovation and Technology, what plans his Department has to prevent social media companies from removing provenance metadata from content posted online.
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is working with other government departments and agencies to explore the efficacy of technologies that seek to use provenance and metadata to improve the transparency of AI-generated and modified content posted online.As part of this work, we will be engaging with a range of stakeholders, including relevant online services, to understand further the role that these technologies can play in delivering a trusted online environment and the role these technologies should play in keeping users safe online.
Innovation and Technology, what his planned timetable is for responding to the recommendations of the report entitled Creating a safer world: the challenge of regulating online pornography, published on 27 February 2025.
Services in scope of the Online Safety Act are already required to take action to tackle horrific illegal pornographic content and will be required prevent children accessing all pornographic content. The Secretary of State has met Baroness Bertin to discuss her review. The review’s findings continue to be assessed by the Government and an update will be provided in due course.
Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to tackle the harmful effects of pornography in Lowestoft constituency.
Under the Online Safety Act, platforms must proactively tackle the most harmful illegal content including extreme pornography, much of which disproportionately affects women and girls. The Act requires services in scope to understand risks from illegal content online and take mitigating action.Separate to provisions in the Online Safety Act, the Independent Pornography Review, led by Independent Lead Reviewer Baroness Gabby Bertin will explore the effectiveness of regulation, legislation and the law enforcement response to pornography. The government expects the Review to present its final report by the end of the year.
Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to help prevent children in Lowestoft constituency being exposed to pornography.
Under the Online Safety Act platforms must proactively tackle the most harmful illegal content including extreme pornography, much of which disproportionately affects women and girls. The Act requires services in scope to understand risks from illegal content online and take mitigating action.Separate to provisions in the Online Safety Act, the Independent Pornography Review, led by Independent Lead Reviewer Baroness Gabby Bertin will explore the effectiveness of regulation, legislation and the law enforcement response to pornography. The government expects the Review to present its final report by the end of the year.