Online harms are on the rise, but how well are our legal frameworks, regulatory bodies and police actually equipped to respond?
This event brings together four speakers from NGO, regulation, frontline investigation and national policing to examine online harms from four different perspective: policy, regulation, investigation and victim support. The event will cover the implementation of the Online Safety Act and its limits in the current practice.
This event invites participants from all disciplines and backgrounds to come together, fostering interdisciplinary connections and discussions.
Speakers
Shona Barton, Head of Strategy and Operations, Online Safety Supervision, Ofcom
Shona Barton is Head of Strategy and Operations in Ofcom's Online Safety Supervision Team, leading the development of regulatory supervision under the Online Safety Act and cross-regulator collaboration in the UK.
This talk examines how Ofcom is implementing the Online Safety Act, including how the regulator engages with regulated online platforms to drive change and its developing approach to regulatory supervision. It will also explore the practical realities of introducing a new regulatory framework and the impact of emerging technologies on online safety regulation.
Azzurra Moores, Associate Director, Information Ecosystems, Demos
Azzurra Moores is Associate Director (Information Ecosystems) at Demos, leading policy and research on online harms, information ecosystems, and democratic resilience, with a focus on epistemic security and trustworthy technology.
This talk highlights the systemic vulnerabilities in and threats to the UK's online information environment, and the ways in which the health of our digital spaces contribute to or undermine the strength of our democracy. It will point to specific policy solutions, including strengthening resilience during elections and crises, and better empowering citizens.
Ryan Parkins, Digital Forensic Investigator, Greater Manchester Police
Ryan Parkins is a Digital Forensic Investigator at Greater Manchester Police's Digital Forensic Investigation Unit, with previous experience at CCL Forensics conducting criminal and corporate investigations.
This talk examines a UK case in which Hugh Nelson, 27, used 3D modelling software alongside AI technology to create indecent images of real children, produced to order for customers worldwide. In a UK-first, Greater Manchester Police were able to classify these AI-generated images as Indecent Photographs of Children, with significant implications for digital forensic investigation and child protection law.
Lizzie Hunter, Detective Chief Inspector, National Centre for Violence Against Women and Public Protection, NPCC
Lizzie Hunter has worked in policing for 15 years and is a qualified senior investigating officer with a background in safeguarding and domestic abuse. She has worked with international law enforcement and third sector agencies on image-based abuse investigations, and leads a victim-centred police response to non-consensual intimate image abuse in collaboration with the Revenge Porn Helpline.
This talk introduces the FCDO-funded NCII project, which aims to reduce the harm caused by non-consensual intimate image abuse — an offence type on an exponential rise. The project has worked across two main workstreams: frontline officer training and improving victims' experiences when they report to policing. It will address the gaps between regulation, legislation and operational reality, and the barriers faced by victims due to a lack of trust and confidence in policing.
Register here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/digital-trust-security-webinar-online-harms-policy-regulationpolicing-tickets-1985907289161?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl
