Ofcom Launches First Investigation Under Online Safety Act Into Suicide Forum

The probe examines whether the forum's provider failed to implement required safety measures, as the site is linked to dozens of UK deaths.

This marks Ofcom's first investigation into an individual service provider under the Online Safety Act, enacted to combat harmful and illegal online content.
The forum under investigation reportedly has tens of thousands of members, including children, and has been linked to at least 50 deaths in the UK, with some estimates suggesting up to 97 fatalities.
Ofcom alleges that the forum's provider failed to adequately assess risks and implement measures to protect users from illegal content, including content promoting suicide.
The Online Safety Act empowers Ofcom to impose fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue and block access to sites found in breach of the law.
Advocacy groups and affected families are urging swift action, calling for the forum's closure to prevent further harm to vulnerable users.