UK Parliament / Open data

Online Safety Bill

Proceeding contribution from Jamie Stone (Liberal Democrat) in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 12 September 2023. It occurred during Debate on bills on Online Safety Bill.

The hon. Lady makes an excellent point. Let me just illustrate it by saying that each of us in our childhood, when we were little—when we were four, five or six—saw something that frightened us. Oddly enough, we never forget that throughout the rest of life, do we? That is what bad dreams are made of. We should remember that point, which is why those are wise words indeed.

3.30 pm

Finally, I shall try your excellent patience, Mr Deputy Speaker, with a few words about encryption, to which reference has been made. I commend the Government for their recognition of the dangers that exist online and the inadequacy of current protections. However, regulation and enforcement must be based on clear evidence of well-defined harm and must respect the rights to privacy and free expression of those who use social media legally and responsibly. On encryption, for the vast majority, privacy means security. We have always to test that theory, but I think that is what most of us believe. If I picked it up right, the right hon. Member for Haltemprice and Howden (Mr Davis) said that this should be revisited on a regular basis. Perhaps the advisers that Ofcom will hire will address this sort of thing, but this is about constant vigilance, is it not? Let me put it on the record that my party would fundamentally oppose any attempts to undermine or weaken encryption.

Once again, I wish to thank all the Members who have put together a good piece of legislation. In the spirit of generosity, let me say that the Government have tried their very best on a tricky issue, and I give credit to those on both sides of the House for this step in the right direction.

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
737 c822 
Session
2022-23
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
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