MPs and businesses urged to boycott Google and Facebook over alleged failure to tackle UK terror

Tech firms such as Google and Facebook have come under fire from the UK's parliamentary security committee, as a report published today urged businesses to boycott the social media platforms until they do more to tackle extremism.

The Intelligence and Security Committee (ISC) said continuous appeals to social media firms to stop their systems from being used as a safe haven for terrorists and extremists have failed, and that attackers continue to use such platforms to coordinate acts of terror.

The report, which analysed five serious terror attacks from last year including those in London's Westminster, Finsbury Park, London Bridge and Parsons Green, recommended a change in tactic to applying pressure on their wallets.

A similar approach was taken by consumer goods giant Unilever in February, which threatened to stop advertising with Google and Facebook unless they adopt a "responsible digital infrastructure". 

"We have seen that appeals to these companies' sense of corporate and social responsibility have not resulted in them making the changes required," said committee chair and MP Dominic Grieves.

"We recommend that pressure is instead put on the [platforms] by the business community, following the example of companies such as Unilever. We strongly consider that action which affects [their] profits will hit home harder than an appeal to them to ‘do the right thing’ and could force them to take action on this crucial issue."

The ISC also petitioned ministers to direct their efforts towards encouraging businesses to follow through on the boycott.

The wide-ranging report offered deep criticism of the government's response and handling of the 2017 terror attacks, which resulted in the deaths of 36 people and many more injuries. 

The committee said UK security service MI5 had admitted it moved "too slowly" in following the movements of the man responsible for the bombing of Manchester Arena last year, despite having already flagged him as a person of concern.

Google and Facebook did not immediately respond to requests for comment.