Ofcom Online Safety Act

Ofcom has issued a warning to tech companies regarding the upcoming enforcement of the UK's Online Safety Act (OSA), which will take effect in December 2024. The OSA mandates that platforms operating in the UK implement new legal obligations to protect users, particularly children, from illegal content. Ofcom has already seen positive changes from several companies, including enhanced age verification on OnlyFans and improved content moderation on platforms like BitChute and Twitch. However, Ofcom's CEO Melanie Dawes emphasized that the time for discussion is over, and significant enforcement actions, including fines, will be imposed on non-compliant firms starting in 2025. The regulator has conducted extensive consultations on codes of practice and guidance related to illegal harms, pornography verification, and children's safety, preparing for a pivotal year ahead. Overall, Ofcom expects platforms to significantly step up their efforts to ensure online safety as the deadline approaches.