Petition · Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Ban news sites from putting appeals about missing people behind a paywall
Closed
54 signatures
What the petition asks
Introduce a new law banning websites from requiring payment or acceptance of advertising cookies to view an article if the article is an appeal for information about the subject of an active missing persons investigation.
Multiple times at this point, I've tried to look at articles appealing for information about missing people—in particular missing children—and I have been unable to access the article without having to either accept advertising cookies or pay. Nobody should be profiting off of appeals for information about missing people or using them as an opportunity to mine data.
I believe the introduction of a law like this will get more eyes on these articles, which could save lives.
I believe the introduction of a law like this will get more eyes on these articles, which could save lives.
Timeline
| 24 Oct 2025 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 24 Apr 2026 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
54
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Opened
24 Oct 2025
Closed
24 Apr 2026
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 18 Aug 2026.