Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Not Addressed
Clarify government departmental ownership for tracking and countering online foreign influence operations.
Recommendation
Responsibility for tracking foreign disinformation campaigns appears to be split between several departments, including DSIT. This suggests that the Intelligence and Security Committee’s 2020 characterisation of countering Russian influence operations as a “hot potato”, passed between different bodies, has not been addressed. To meet our Principle 1, the government should clarify which department has ownership over tracking and countering online narrative operations. It should consider consolidating responsibility within a single entity, for example the National Security Online Information Team, or establishing a clear chain of command, and in its response to this report the government should set out the actions it intends to take in this regard. (Recommendation, Paragraph 59)
Government response summary AI-generated
The government response cuts off mid-sentence and does not address the recommendation to clarify departmental ownership of tracking and countering online narrative operations.
Summary of the government's response below — read the verbatim text to verify.
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government · verbatim extract
Not Addressed
The department recognises the importance and value of a whole of government approach to this cross-cutting issue. The bringing together of expertise is reflected in how effectively all departments, including the Home Office, Cabinet Office and FCDO, currently collaborate to tackle online foreign disinformation campaigns. Within this cross-Whitehall approach, the department’s National Security Online Information Team (NSOIT) leads the government’s operational response to information risks, including mis- and disinformation, to UK audiences, focusing on those which present a public safety or national security risk. The government will continue to build on expertise across government through existing structures, including the Defending Democracy Task Force and Joint Election Security Preparedness Unit, to ensure that departments continue to work effectively and collaboratively to counter foreign interference and protect UK democracy.
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