Committee report calls on government to tackle tech-enabled domestic abuse

07/08/2023 | UK Parliament

A report published by the House of Commons Culture, Media and Sport Committee reveals that the use of smart technology and connected devices in domestic abuse cases is becoming a growing problem, according to MPs calling on the UK government to prioritise tackling this issue. The report: Connect tech: smart or sinister? highlights the need for better protection of the privacy and rights of children increasingly interacting with connected technology at home and in schools. The report also calls for improvements to the skills of law enforcement and the criminal justice system to respond to domestic abuse against women and children, of which the majority of cases now include a cyber element. The Committee recommends that the government focus on rules and schemes addressing product design, clear terms and conditions, and digital literacy to empower users, especially children, to exercise their rights over their personal data.

In related news, the government has published its UK Safety Tech Sector: 2023 analysis. The report published by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) examines how the "government is delivering on its commitment to make the UK the safest place in the world to be online while defending free expression." The report reveals there are now 133 UK firms providing safety tech products and services, up 14% over last year and that overall; the sector is maturing.

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Smart home, cctv camera, web cam

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