Science Innovation and Technology Committee
Coverage of Science Innovation and Technology Committee in the Nexus archive.
- I’m a mum. Here’s why banning social media for under 16s won’t work.
Emily Darlington, a Labour MP, argues that banning social media for under 16s would increase risks by driving children to unregulated platforms like Tattle.Life, Telegram, and Incel Forum. She highlights Australia's experience, where most teens returned to social media through alternative means, and emphasizes the need for regulation over outright bans.
- Scientists pour cold water on claims phones are rewiring kids' brains
Scientists testified before UK MPs that there is limited causal evidence linking smartphones and social media to changes in children's brain development, with most existing research being correlational. Experts highlighted concerns about displacement of activities like play and social interaction, as well as the impact of reward systems in adolescent brains.
- NHS patients can't opt out of Palantir's data platform – but their hospital can
NHS patients in England cannot opt out of Palantir's NHS Federated Data Platform (FDP) data processing, but individual NHS trusts can choose to avoid using it. Palantir's role in the FDP has faced scrutiny over data access risks and political pressure to end its involvement, with the government deciding this year whether to extend its contract beyond 2027.
- UK lawmakers call on government to ditch Palantir NHS contract
UK lawmakers urge the government to terminate Palantir's NHS contract, citing risks of vendor lock-in and over-reliance on a US-based tech firm in critical public sectors like healthcare and national security. The Science Innovation and Technology Committee recommended using a 2027 break clause to replace the £330 million Federated Data Platform contract with alternatives from UK-owned providers.