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MPs to Debate Amendment for Bereaved Parents' Access to Deceased Children's Social Media Data

The proposed change to the Data (Use and Access) Bill would allow parents to obtain data without court orders, as the Government focuses on data preservation and coroner powers.

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Ellen Roome with Jools, who died in 2022. She believes he lost his life after an online challenge went wrong

Overview

  • Ellen Roome, whose son Jools Sweeney died by suicide in 2022, is campaigning for 'Jools’ Law' to give parents access to deceased children's social media data without court approval.
  • MP Max Wilkinson has introduced an amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill, enabling parents to request their child's last 12 months of online activity, including content and metadata.
  • The Government's draft legislation mandates that Ofcom ensure data preservation but stops short of requiring platforms to release the information to parents.
  • Under the Online Safety Act, coroners will gain powers to demand social media data in cases where a child's death may be linked to online content.
  • The Bill also includes a provision banning the creation of non-consensual sexually explicit deepfake images, signaling a broader focus on digital safety.