UK Online Safety Act Enforced with New Rules for Tech Platforms

Ofcom's first codes of practice under the law require tech companies to address illegal content with stricter measures or face severe penalties.

The Online Safety Act, passed in 2023, officially comes into force with new duties for tech platforms to tackle illegal content such as terrorism, child sexual abuse, and fraud.
Ofcom has issued initial codes of practice, giving platforms until March 2025 to assess risks and implement safety measures, including improved moderation and reporting tools.
Failure to comply could result in fines of up to 10% of global revenue, service suspensions, or even jail time for senior executives in extreme cases.
Critics, including child safety advocates, argue the measures do not go far enough to address issues like self-harm and abuse in private messaging.
Future Ofcom guidelines in 2025 will address additional concerns, including protections for women and children and the use of AI to combat harmful content.