Latest news with #OnlineSafetyBill
ITV News
07-05-2025
- ITV News
Tech abuse: What is digital coercive control and why is it increasing?
Katie Templeton-Knight has been exploring the issue of technology-facilitated abuse for ITV News. You may find some of the details in this report distressing. A woman from north Cumbria has spoken anonymously to ITV News, describing the years of technology-facilitated abuse and sexual violence she faced by a former partner. Charities warn that coercive control through technology is increasing and as technology evolves, it's becoming easier for perpetrators to commit these types of crimes. A woman we are calling Sarah told ITV News that initially she thought it was "sweet" and "loving" that her former partner wanted to know where she was all the time. However, she soon started to realise that something much more sinister was happening. He would frequently turn up in places she was, which he would claim was coincidental. He also knew information about her that she had only told close friends. Sarah did not know this until much later, but by going through her phone when she was not looking, he found her passwords, photos and private messages. After discovering the password to her iCloud, he logged on through his own phone, which allowed him to track her every move. He could see who she was talking to, what she was booking online and how much money she was spending. He started to control who she was allowed to text and later installed spyware apps on her phone. When she tried to leave the relationship, he threatened to publish her private photos and messages on social media. Following years of abuse, she went to the police, and the perpetrator received a lengthy prison sentence. What is digital coercive control? Digital coercive control refers to when technology is weaponised by a perpetrator so that they can control, harass or intimidate their partner. It is a type of technology-facilitated domestic abuse or 'tech abuse'. Examples of this can include restricting someone's access to their devices, cyberstalking, using social media, hidden cameras, or even smart home devices like thermostats or speakers. Coercive control has been a crime since 2015, but it wasn't until the Domestic Abuse Act 2021 that the definition was expanded to include coercive control through technology. The Online Safety Bill, passed in 2023, also identified controlling and coercive behaviour as a 'priority offence', which means tech companies need to both prevent and remove coercive control content from their sites. However, this is difficult to enforce when it takes place away from social media platforms, including over text. To meet rising demand, Refuge set up a specialist technology-facilitated abuse service in 2017. Between the first year of service to 2024, they've seen a 207% increase in referrals. But they say this could be just the tip of the iceberg, as there's limited research done into just how common this issue is. How the police investigate these crimes: A report by Liverpool University looked at several police forces in the North of England, including Cumbria, Merseyside and Durham. The report found that even when coercive control was suspected, officers could not easily distinguish it from behaviour that was not abusive. For example, sending lots of messages in the early days of a relationship could be the sign of excitement and mutual attraction, or it could indicate monitoring. The report also found that when gathering evidence of these crimes, basic but essential information was missing. This included telephone numbers, profile names and IDs, and screenshots which could have been used as initial evidence or to identify the correct social media profile. Police forces say that they've made changes to address these concerns. For example, in the last year, Cumbria Police has increased the number of specialist investigators looking specifically at technology-related crimes. The force has also developed a 'digital toolkit' to provide training and resources on how to spot digital coercive control. Over the past few years, Cumbria Police has seized surveillance devices and hidden cameras disguised as everyday items such as vanity mirrors or USB sticks disguised as car keys. How can you protect yourself? One of the most troubling aspects of this type of abuse is that some people do not realise that it is happening to them. Perpetrators can download spyware and surveillance apps onto their partner's phones without their knowledge, especially if the perpetrator is controlling their partner's access to their phone. However, there is support and advice available through any of the resources below if you believe you might be at risk. Domestic Abuse Advice and Support: Refuge Refuge supports more than 6,000 clients on any one day, helping them rebuild their lives and overcome many different forms of violence and abuse. They have a step-by-step guide online as well as an interactive tool about how to secure your phone if you suspect technology-facilitated abuse is happening to you. If you, or someone you care about, is experiencing domestic abuse, you can call The National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. The Revenge Porn Helpline The Revenge Porn Helpline supports all adult victims of intimate image abuse living in the UK. This includes those who have had private sexual images shared without consent, threatened to be shared without consent, or taken without consent. We also provide advice and information to those targeted by sextortion and webcam blackmail. If you have been a victim of intimate image abuse, a helpline practitioner can give you advice and support. The number is 0345 6000 459. Or you can send an email or online live chat. Women's Aid Women's Aid is the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. They have been at the forefront of shaping and coordinating responses to domestic violence and abuse through practice for more than 45 years. Freedom Project The Freedom Project is a free domestic abuse charity based in West Cumbria, working with victims, perpetrators and children suffering from trauma and effects of domestic and sexual abuse. ManKind: The Mankind Initiative is the principal, expert and specialist charity in the UK focussing on male victims of domestic abuse. The charity collaborates and works in close partnership with other organisations and practitioners to support these victims too. It was the first in Great Britain to support male victims.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
MP's 'dismay' as Alan Carr show says Gosport development is in Portsmouth
An MP has written to the BBC after an episode of a hit show referred to a development located in Gosport as being in Portsmouth. MP Dame Caroline Dinenage has written to Sarah Nelson, BBC News editorial advisor, requesting Gosport "is given its due credit on national television". The Conservative's letter comes after an episode of BBC One show Interior Design Masters, hosted by comedian Alan Carr, referred to the Royal Haslar development as being in Portsmouth. In the opening line of the show, Carr said: "This week we're in Portsmouth where our designers are transforming retirement apartments." READ MORE: Hampshire beach 'wins' Brown Flag Award for second year in a row The BBC iPlayer description of episode three of the show also read: "The eight designers go high-end, pairing up to transform luxury retirement show apartments in an old converted military hospital in Portsmouth." In her letter, Ms Dinenage said: "Though I was very glad to see this beautiful building featured so prominently on the programme, many of us who live in Gosport found ourselves shouting at the screen in dismay throughout the programme as we were repeatedly told that Haslar was in Portsmouth. "As I often say, Portsmouth is a city near Gosport, not the other way around." Ms Dinenage, who received her damehood in October 2022 from the Princess Royal for her work on the Online Safety Bill, said it was not the first time Gosport was wrongly referred to as Portsmouth on the BBC, and asked for Gosport to be correctly identified in future.
Sky News
24-04-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
Tech firms face fines up to £60,000 for failing to remove knife crime content
Social media companies will be fined up to £60,000 each time a post relating to knife crime is not removed from their sites in a bid to stop children viewing "sickening" content. The new sanction expands on previously announced plans to fine individual tech executives up to £10,000 if their platforms fail to remove material advertising or glorifying knives following 48 hours of a police warning. It means tech platforms and their executives could collectively face up to £70,000 in penalties for every post relating to knife crime they fail to remove, with the new laws applying to online search engines as well as social media platforms and marketplaces. Crime and policing minister Dame Diana Johnson said the content that young people scroll through every day online "is sickening" adding: "That is why we are now going further than ever to hold to account the tech companies who are not doing enough to safeguard young people from content which incites violence, particularly in young boys." The sanctions for tech platforms will be introduced via an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill. It is separate to the Online Safety Bill, which aims to protect children from online harm, which some campaigners and parents have criticised for not going far enough. The Home Office said today's announcement follows "significant consultation" with the Coalition to Tackle Knife Crime, launched by Sir Keir Starmer in September as part of his bid to half knife offences in a decade. Patrick Green, chief executive of The Ben Kinsella Trust, a knife prevention charity which is part of the coalition, welcomed the measure, telling Sky News social media companies have "proved themselves to be incapable of self-regulation". "There's been a real reluctance of social media companies to take action sufficiently quickly. It's shameful, we shouldn't need legislation," he said. 4:05 The Ben Kinsella Trust is named after teenager Ben Kinsella who was fatally stabbed in 2008 on the way home from the pub after celebrating his GCSEs. Months earlier, Ben had written to then prime minister Gordon Brown to urge his government to tackle knife crime. Knife crime rates soar However, the problem has soared since then. In the year to March 2024, there were 53 teenage victims aged 13-19 in England and Wales, according to the Office for National Statistics. That is a 140% increase on the 22 teenage victims a decade earlier. Overall, police recorded 54,587 knife-related offences in 2024, up 2% on the previous year and more than double the 26,000 offences recorded in 2014. Mr Green told Sky News that while knife crime has been happening "long before social media took hold", online content glamorising the possession of a knife is hindering efforts to reduce it. "There will be pictures of these knives [on social media] with 'follow me' luring young people onto places where these knives are sold. It's never been easier for a child to buy a knife." 'One part of a larger problem' However, while welcoming today's announcement he said social media was "one part of a larger problem", adding that "provisions of youth services have been decimated" and "much more needs to be done". The government's plan to halve knife crime in a decade includes banning zombie-style knives and ninja swords, with a nationwide surrender scheme launching in July, and stronger laws for online retailers selling knives. Ministers also want to increase prison sentences for selling weapons to under-18s and introduce a new offence for possessing a weapon with intent for violence, with a prison sentence of up to four years. Government 'can't police the internet' Last month, Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty suggested violent videos viewed online should be used as evidence to prosecute under the new law. He was speaking during a debate he secured on knife crime, in which he criticised a wider culture which "valorises" criminality and gangs in music and the media. On the measures announced today, the Huntingdon MP told Sky News that while "any measures to help reduce instances of knife crime are hugely welcome", he was doubtful that the sanctions could be effectively enforced. "The sheer scale of content on social media that glorifies or incites violence is staggering, let alone content returned by search engines," he said. "The government can't possibly hope to realistically police the internet. "The government must tackle the culture that promotes and encourages the use of knives and ensure that there are robust consequences to doing so, not simply pretend they will have online content removed."
The Independent
06-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Brianna Ghey's mother hits out at potential watering down of Online Safety Bill
The mother of murdered teenager Brianna Ghey said she is 'frustrated' by the government's approach to online safety, as reports suggest the Online Safety Bill could be watered down to appease US President Donald Trump. Esther Ghey spoke to the BBC on Sunday morning about the bill and the death of her 16-year-old daughter, whose murder led to UK-wide protests and vigils. 'While we are… questioning whether it's strong enough or whether it should be watered down, young people are at harm, and young people are losing their lives,' she said. 'Young people shouldn't be struggling with mental health because of what they are accessing online, and we really do need to take a hard stance on this.' Brianna, 16, was murdered by classmate Scarlett Jenkinson and her friend Eddie Ratcliffe. Jenkinson and Ratcliffe, were both 15 at the time of the murder in 2023. Ms Ghey has previously met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his predecessor Rishi Sunak to discuss the issue and has criticised the Online Safety Act, saying it does not go far enough. She has campaigned for an age limit on smartphone use, stricter controls on access to social media apps, tougher action on knife crime and for mindfulness to be taught in schools. On her campaigning work on online safety and trolling, Ms Ghey said she supports a ban on social media for under 16s. The Online Safety Act could reportedly be watered down as part of US trade negotiations, and the children's commissioner for England has called for young people to be removed from social media altogether if that happens. Dame Rachel de Souza said this week that 'if regulation is pulled back on children, if the online safety bill is pulled back on children, then we need children off social media'. Mr Trump has imposed a 10 per cent tariff on all UK imports to the US, and a 25 per cent tariff on UK cars and car parts. The UK is pushing for a US trade deal in which they hope to see tariffs eased. On Sunday morning, chief secretary to the Treasury Darren Jones said that the 'basic protections' in the Online Safety Bill 'are not up for negotiation'. He said the government 'won't be walking away from" the idea that online platforms need to be designed in a way to protect children from harm. A government spokesperson said: 'The Online Safety Act is about protecting children online from harmful content like self-harm and eating disorders as well as making sure what is illegal offline is illegal online. 'These laws are not part of the negotiation and our priority is getting them in place quickly and effectively, while exploring what more can be done to build a safer online world.'
The Independent
06-04-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Brianna Ghey's mother slams watering down of Online Safety Bill as ‘shocking'
Brianna Ghey's mother today said she is 'frustrated' by the Government's Online Safety Bill, which may be 'watered down' to appease President Trump. Esther Ghey spoke to the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg programme on Sunday about the bill and the death of her 16-year-old daughter, whose murder led to UK-wide protests and vigils. Brianna, 16, was murdered by classmate Scarlett Jenkinson and her friend Eddie Ratcliffe in 2023. 'While we are… questioning whether it's strong enough or whether it should be watered down, young people are at harm, and young people are losing their lives,' Ms Ghey told the BBC. 'Young people shouldn't be struggling with mental health because of what they are accessing online, and we really do need to take a hard stance on this.' Jenkinson and Ratcliffe, who were both 15 at the time of the murder, lured Brianna to a park in Cheshire where she was stabbed 28 times with a hunting knife on February 11 2023. Ms Ghey has previously met Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his predecessor Rishi Sunak to discuss the issue and has criticised the Online Safety Act, saying it does not go far enough. She has campaigned for an age limit on smartphone use, stricter controls on access to social media apps, tougher action on knife crime and for mindfulness to be taught in schools. On her campaigning work on online safety and trolling, Ms Ghey said she supports a ban on social media for under 16s. 'It is an absolute cesspit,' she said in March at the screening of ITV film Brianna: A Mother's Story, which explores the murder of her daughter. 'Even if, say, if I do an interview, and I'll try not to look at comments, but I can never help myself, and I'll look at the comments, and you'll see people saying about my child, trying to tell me what gender my child was, and also really, really horrific comments too. 'And it's mentioned in the documentary as well, that when you report things, the support isn't there. 'I've reported so many comments, and I always get the response that they haven't done anything wrong, that it's not something that they can take down, and our children have access to those comments. 'No matter how much love and compassion you pump into your child when you're bringing them up, and how much empathy you can teach them as well, they will then go online and they'll see the way that other people are speaking about other people, and they might think that that's right. 'And that's without even going into the amount of harm that's online, like the dangerous challenges where young people are losing their lives due to these sick challenges that people are uploading, misogyny, hate, misinformation, and that is just the tip of the iceberg.' A government spokesperson said: 'The Online Safety Act is about protecting children online from harmful content like self-harm and eating disorders as well as making sure what is illegal offline is illegal online. 'These laws are not part of the negotiation and our priority is getting them in place quickly and effectively, while exploring what more can be done to build a safer online world.'
