Government announces "world's first" safety tech network as UK sector doubles

The government has today announced the launch of a new network for safety tech companies to encourage collaboration.

The Safety Tech Innovation Network is the world’s first forum for companies that concentrate on making online spaces safer.

The announcement comes following an independent study on safe technology in the UK, which reported that the number of dedicated online safety firms has doubled in the last five years, and investment in the industry increased by more than eight-fold in 2019.

The network will be co-funded by Nominet, and will be launched later this year.

Caroline Dinenage, Minister for Digital and Culture, commented: “We are all spending more time online during the pandemic and this new report shows the value the safety tech sector could add as we look to power growth out of it.

“Its innovative products, many of which are developed in towns and cities across the country, are being used globally to help companies make their online platforms safer.

“The government is leading the world, developing online harms laws and it’s great to see our brilliant British tech industry is part of the solution.”