The government is examining new steps to curb misinformation during public emergencies, Liz Kendall said, stressing she will not be deterred from using Elon Musk’s X platform. The technology secretary spoke after unrest in Southampton linked to the police handling of the fatal stabbing of Henry Nowak, a case Musk has often highlighted. She expressed concern over social media’s role in unrest and said more action may be needed during crises to protect public safety. Kendall referred to a report from the Commons science committee urging Ofcom to create crisis protocols for platforms. The regulator has sought views on the matter, with further announcements due soon. The inquiry followed 2024 riots after the Southport murders, when false claims spread rapidly online. The report noted that misleading content was boosted by platform algorithms. Kendall said the government is considering ways to promote reliable information sources and allow users to reset their algorithms. Committee chair Chi Onwurah called for stronger rules, noting the Online Safety Act has gaps and many proposals were not adopted. Keir Starmer criticised Musk for political interference, but Kendall said she intends to use the platform to share government messages. Musk has posted frequently about the Nowak case. Labour MP Jess Asato is pursuing legal action against xAI over AI-generated content. An Amnesty report last year said X amplified hate after the Southport attacks. Kendall noted the long time taken to pass the Online Safety Act and said faster updates are needed as technology changes.
