Nandy Criticises Social Media Giants
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has launched a blistering attack on social media platforms, accusing them of allowing abuse and misinformation to flourish on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. In a speech delivered on Thursday, Nandy said the platforms had prioritised profits over user safety, leading to a toxic online environment.
Platforms Put Profits Before People
Nandy highlighted that under Elon Musk's ownership, X has seen a surge in hate speech and false information. She cited a 2023 report from the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, which found that X failed to act on 99% of hateful posts reported by users. According to Nandy, this inaction has emboldened abusers and undermined democratic discourse.
“These platforms have shown time and again that they are unwilling to take responsibility for the content they host,” Nandy said. “We cannot allow a handful of billionaires to dictate the rules of online engagement.”
Call for Stronger Regulation
The Culture Secretary called for the implementation of the Online Safety Bill, which is currently making its way through Parliament. The bill would impose a duty of care on social media companies, requiring them to remove illegal content and protect children from harm. Nandy argued that the current self-regulatory approach has failed, and that legislative action is necessary to hold platforms accountable.
“The Online Safety Bill is a crucial step towards cleaning up the internet,” she added. “We need to ensure that what is illegal offline is also illegal online.”
Impact on Democracy and Public Health
Nandy also warned of the broader consequences of unchecked misinformation, particularly around elections and public health. She noted that during the COVID-19 pandemic, false information about vaccines spread rapidly on X, contributing to vaccine hesitancy. Similarly, disinformation campaigns have been linked to political polarisation and violence in several countries.
“When people are exposed to lies and hate, it doesn't just affect them individually—it corrodes trust in our institutions and endangers our democracy,” she said.
Industry Response
In response to Nandy's comments, a spokesperson for X said the platform had invested in content moderation and was committed to transparency. However, critics argue that these measures are insufficient. The UK government has threatened to impose fines on companies that fail to comply with the new regulations, with penalties of up to 10% of global annual turnover.
Nandy's speech comes amid growing international pressure on social media companies to address harmful content. The European Union's Digital Services Act, which came into force in 2024, already imposes strict rules on large platforms. The UK's Online Safety Bill is expected to pass later this year.
