Ms Niamh Hodnett:

The amplification of harmful content online through algorithms or recommender systems is one of the issues we called out as a serious issue for online safety in the call for inputs we published in July. As part of this call for inputs, we asked whether this is something we should address in our online safety code and, if so, how best to do so. I will turn to my colleague Dr. Evans to explain how it is addressed in the Digital Services Act with regard to the obligation on very large online platforms to offer an alternative recommender system. For example, chronological feed is an alternative to other forms of recommender systems. This has been in place since the end of August under the Digital Services Act.

With regard to our own online safety code, one of the issues on which we consulted is enshrining a safety by design principle to be approached in the use of launching any new product service, algorithm or otherwise. We still have to consult on our draft online safety code. We have not yet finally adopted it. This is all subject to consultation.