Misinformation: Statement by Chi Onwurah MP, Chair of Science, Innovation and Technology Committee

In the wake of recent social media controversies, UK Parliament’s Science, Innovation and Technology Committee Chair, Chi Onwurah MP, has issued a pointed response to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s Monday speech addressing misinformation online.

“The headlines over the last couple of days illustrate how potent misinformation on social media can be,” said Onwurah. “Social media is a place where one post, even if false, can be amplified to reach millions of people.”

Onwurah’s comments come during a period of heightened concern about the real-world consequences of online misinformation. Last summer, the UK experienced a wave of violent unrest that authorities linked directly to false information circulating on social media platforms.

“We shouldn’t accept viral misinformation – or the real-world harm it causes – as an inevitable part of social media, and we must make sure that false online content doesn’t fuel violent attacks in the UK again,” she emphasized.

The parliamentary committee has launched a formal inquiry examining how social media algorithms contribute to the spread of harmful content. Central to this investigation is the role of major platforms, with particular attention on X (formerly Twitter) and its owner, Elon Musk, who has been invited to appear before the committee.

“This isn’t about picking a fight with Mr Musk,” Onwurah clarified. “We want to understand the technology he has shaped and his views on X’s approach to misinformation and free speech. Rather than speak to UK politicians through his X account, I hope that he will take up our invitation and take the opportunity to engage with the democratic process and give us his thoughts directly.”

The invitation comes amid growing international scrutiny of social media companies and their responsibility for content moderation. The UK government has been particularly vocal about the need for stronger regulations following last summer’s riots, which saw violence erupt in multiple cities after misinformation spread rapidly across various platforms.

Should Musk decline the invitation, Onwurah stated that the committee hopes “a senior representative of X can attend in his stead to give us clarity on the company’s use of algorithms.”

This parliamentary inquiry represents part of a broader European push toward greater accountability for tech platforms. The UK’s Online Safety Act, which came into force earlier this year, aims to establish a comprehensive framework for regulating harmful content online, while the EU’s Digital Services Act imposes similar obligations on large platforms operating within the European Union.

The focus on algorithms reflects growing concern among policymakers that recommendation systems may inadvertently amplify divisive or false content due to engagement-based optimization. Research has suggested that content eliciting strong emotional responses—often including misinformation—can receive disproportionate visibility on social media platforms.

Prime Minister Starmer’s speech on Monday highlighted government concerns about the role social media plays in spreading disinformation during times of social tension. His administration has pledged to work with tech companies to develop more robust solutions for identifying and limiting the spread of harmful content.

As the parliamentary inquiry progresses, it will likely examine not only the technical aspects of content recommendation systems but also the balance between free expression and public safety—a tension that has defined much of the debate around social media regulation in recent years.

The committee has not yet announced when hearings will begin or whether Musk has responded to their invitation.