Launch an enquiry into social media in UK elections/referendums in 2016-17

Rejected 10 signatures

What the petition asks

I ask the government to
launch an enquiry into the use of social media in the 2016 referendum and 2017 general election to determine:

(a) Was it legal?

(b) If not, does it suggest that the results of these processes are no longer ‘safe’?

(c) What changes in the law might be needed?

We value the integrity of our criminal law so much that we treat any attempt to interfere with the course of justice, by evidence-tampering or a number of other acts, as itself a criminal offence. Since the integrity of our whole political system depends on proper process of our democratic procedures in elections and referendums, I suggest that these too should be equally legally protected. Dealing with the abuse of social media in elections and referendums is a step in this direction.

Why it was rejected

It asked for something that is not the responsibility of the UK Government or Parliament.

We can’t accept petitions asking the Government to investigate whether something is illegal. The UK Parliament and Government are not responsible for investigating whether the law has been broken.

You could start a new petition about something the UK Parliament and Government are responsible for. For example, you could start a new petition asking for an inquiry into whether current law around election advertising is appropriate for social media and expected changes to the digital environment.

Timeline

22 Mar 2018	Petition opened for signatures
18 Jun 2018	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 10

Status Rejected

Rejected 18 Jun 2018

Follow this petition