Written questions

Freedom of Expression: Internet

Commons · Question 89391 · Tabled 11 Nov 2025 · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology · Official record

Answered 19 Nov 2025

Question

Asked by Andrew Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to prevent the new false communication offence in the Online Safety Act 2023 from stifling freedom of speech.

Answer

Answered by Kanishka Narayan, 19 Nov 2025

The false communications offence within the Online Safety Act captures communications where the individual knows the information to be false but sends it intending to cause harm to a likely audience, without reasonable excuse.Protecting freedom of express...