British lawmakers have warned that the government’s failure to address online misinformation could lead to a repeat of the violent 2024 summer riots, which were fuelled by viral falsehoods following the Southport murders.
The Commons Science and Technology Committee, chaired by Chi Onwurah, criticised ministers for being complacent about the risks of misinformation spreading on social media.
It said the government’s refusal to strengthen regulation under the Online Safety Act (OSA) leaves the public vulnerable to future unrest.
“The government urgently needs to plug gaps in the OSA, but instead seems complacent about harms from the viral spread of legal but harmful misinformation,” Onwurah said.
“Public safety is at risk, and it’s only a matter of time until the misinformation-fuelled 2024 summer riots are repeated.”
The committee had called for tighter oversight of social media platforms, tougher rules for AI-generated content, and new measures to regulate online advertising systems that profit from harmful material.
However, in its official response published on Friday, the government rejected calls for new legislation, arguing that existing laws already cover AI-generated content and that additional rules could hamper implementation of the OSA.
MPs disagreed, pointing to evidence from Ofcom, which said AI chatbots are not fully captured under the current act and called for further consultation with the tech industry.
The committee also criticised the government for refusing to establish an independent body to regulate the online advertising market, which MPs said helps monetise harmful misinformation.
While the government acknowledged concerns about transparency in online advertising, it said it would continue to review the industry rather than introduce new laws. It also dismissed a proposal for an annual report to Parliament on misinformation, claiming it could interfere with efforts to counter harmful content.
Onwurah said ministers’ inaction on both AI regulation and advertising oversight was particularly troubling. “Technology is advancing faster than our laws,” she warned. “Without tackling the business models that reward misinformation, we’re leaving the door open for history to repeat itself.”
