STORY
The Liberal Democrats have proposed imposing a levy on large technology and artificial intelligence companies to finance a new Online Crime Agency. The party said the agency would receive £250 million each year to investigate and disrupt criminal activity conducted through digital platforms.
The proposed agency would focus on offences including the distribution of child sexual abuse material, the online sale of drugs and weapons and the creation of sexually explicit deepfake images. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson Max Wilkinson said technology companies should contribute towards tackling crimes facilitated through their services.
The proposal was announced during the Liberal Democrat conference as the party sought to develop a clearer national policy platform. Other measures presented at the conference included a temporary 10p reduction in fuel duty and reduced public transport fares intended to help households with living costs.