Lords to consider fake news and the impact of tech on consumers
On Tuesday 23 October tech journalists from The Times and Wired and an expert from Which?, a consumer rights group, will give evidence to the House of Lords Communications Committee for its inquiry on internet regulation.
In the first session journalists who write about the impact of digital technology will discuss the risks that the internet poses to individuals and society. In the second session the Committee will take evidence on the consumer rights perspective of online regulation.
The evidence session will begin at 3.30pm in Committee Room 4a of the House of Lords. The Committee will hear from:
- Mark Bridge, Technology Correspondent, The Times
- Matt Reynolds, Staff Writer, Wired UK
Topics likely to be asked in the session include:
- The strengths and weaknesses of regulation of the internet
- The spread of fake news or misinformation online
- How the Data Protection Act 2018 will improve the way in which personal data is gathered, stored and used
- The liability of online platforms for the content that they host
- The likely impact on regulation of the internet from the United Kingdom leaving the European Union
The second session will begin at 4.30pm and the Committee will hear from:
- Caroline Normand, Director of Policy, Which?
Issues likely to be covered in the session include:
- The role of consumer protection laws in regulating online activities
- Principles and best practice standards for the design of algorithms
- How the concentration of digital markets affects consumer choice
- The responsibility of consumers for protecting themselves from online crime
