Livingston MP calls for chat platform that's a 'magnet for predators' to be banned
Livingston's MP has called for the banning of an online chat platform for young people which he claims is failing to keep users safe from online predators.
Gregor Poynton, who is Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Children's Online Safety, called for the Wizz app to be banned in the UK following mounting evidence that it is being used by predators to groom and exploit children. At least two UK child sexual abuse cases have been linked to the platform.
His remarks came following an investigation by London-based talk radio station LBC.
A 22-year-old reporter was able to bypass age verification on the app and pose as a teenager to access profiles of children as young as 14, and exposed how the app was failing to keep young users safe.
The Wizz app, marketed as a teen social platform, claims to restrict interactions to users of similar ages and use facial recognition tools for verification.
However, the investigation revealed that these safeguards can be easily bypassed.
Gregor Poynton MP said: 'Wizz is clearly a magnet for predators, a place where abuse is already happening.
'It's not enough to tweak the technology or add disclaimers. There is no legitimate purpose for an app like this. It should be banned.'
The Livingston constituency MP's comments came on the day landmark protections for children online come into force under new Ofcom-enforced rules introduced by the Labour UK Government.
'Our lives are no longer split between the online and offline world – and the harm done online can be just as devastating,' he said.
'We've now got some of the toughest laws anywhere in the world to protect kids online. But enforcement has to match ambition – and when apps like this fail to act, they should be banned.'
Mr Poynton told LBC that the protections Wizz has in place are, 'not worth the paper they're written on.'
He also raised broader concerns about the rise of apps with no social value but huge potential for harm, referencing so-called 'nudification' apps used in sextortion scams.
He added: 'These apps serve no positive purpose. They don't enrich lives – they endanger them. Enough is enough.'
The new Online Safety Codes require platforms to:
Introduce robust age checks to block access to pornography, self-harm and other harmful material.
Tackle toxic algorithms that feed children harmful content, from dangerous stunts to hate speech.
Act fast to remove harmful content, with clear routes for reporting and complaints.
Face serious penalties, including fines of up to £18 million or 10 per cent of global annual revenue, for non-compliance.
Mr Poynton confirmed he would work cross-party in the autumn to review gaps in the legislation, particularly in light of emerging technologies like AI.
'Tech moves fast – but our response must be faster. If fines aren't enough, we'll legislate again. We owe it to our children to keep them safe.'
Wizz has been approached for comment.
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