UK parliament launches new inquiry into algorithms and misinformation

The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee has launched a new inquiry to investigate the relationship between algorithms and the spread of false content online. 

The committee will investigate the algorithms used by social media and search engines, generative AI and if their business models encourage the spread of content that can mislead us.

The inquiry follows on from the riots that took place across the UK this summer and were believed to be fuelled by the spread of fake news.

Hours after the late July Southport attack, which resulted in the death of three girls, a post on X alleged that the suspect was a Muslim immigrant. Despite police denying this was true, the spread of misinformation continued, with other users later claiming the attacker was an asylum seeker.

It is believed, this fake news posts, viewed by millions on Twitter, sparked a string of anti-immigration protest across the UK.

According to The Guardian, Elon Musk and senior executives of Meta and TikTok have been called for questioning as part of the inquiry.

Chair of the committee Chi Onwurah said: “The violence we saw on UK streets this summer has shown the dangerous real-world impact of spreading misinformation and disinformation across social media.

“We shouldn’t accept the spread of false and harmful content as part and parcel of using social media. It's vital that lessons are learnt, and we ensure it doesn't fuel riots and violence on our streets again.”

The committee will also look into how effective UK regulation is in fighting harmful content, and those responsible for it.

Following the riots, Sadiq Khan, mayor of London, said the Online Safety Act, introduced to parliament last year to protect children and adults online, was “not fit for purpose” and called for an urgent review of the bill.

The inquiry comes as Ofcom prepares to enforce the laws set out in the bill next year.