Creating A Safe Life Online

Ofcom’s Progress on Implementing the UK’s Online Safety Act

Ofcom has provided a comprehensive update on the implementation of the Online Safety Act, outlining the progress made and the steps ahead to ensure a safer online environment for UK users. This update details the actions required from tech firms, the timelines for compliance, and the measures Ofcom will take to enforce the new regulations.

Overview of the Online Safety Act

The Online Safety Act, enacted in October 2023, imposes new legal duties on online platforms operating in the UK. These duties aim to protect users, especially children, from illegal and harmful content. Ofcom is responsible for consulting on codes of practice and guidance to facilitate the enforcement of these duties.

Key Milestones and Timelines

Current Progress and Actions Taken

• Age Verification: UK-based adult sites like OnlyFans have introduced age verification measures to prevent underage access.
• Content Moderation: Platforms such as BitChute have enhanced their content moderation and user reporting systems.
• Child Protection: Twitch has implemented measures to prevent children from accessing harmful videos.
• Grooming Prevention: Meta and Snapchat have introduced features to protect children from being contacted by strangers, including Instagram’s ‘Teen Accounts’ which limit who can interact with teens and what content they can view.

Upcoming Challenges and Expectations

While positive changes have been made, Ofcom anticipates that many platforms will need to implement further measures to comply fully with the Online Safety Act. The finalisation of codes and guidance by April 2025 will set the stage for comprehensive enforcement and compliance.

Enforcement and Compliance

• Imposing significant fines on non-compliant platforms.
• Seeking court orders to block access to services in the UK.
• Limiting access to payment providers or advertisers for platforms that fail to adhere to safety measures.

Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom’s Chief Executive, said: “The time for talk is over. From December, tech firms will be legally required to start taking action, meaning 2025 will be a pivotal year in creating a safer life online. We’ve already engaged constructively with some platforms and seen positive changes ahead of time, but our expectations are going to be high, and we’ll be coming down hard on those who fall short.”

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