The UK’s Online Safety Act is now in full effect, granting Ofcom the power to sanction tech platforms for failing to remove illegal or harmful content. The law, passed in October 2023, requires service providers, including social media platforms, search engines, and messaging apps, to promptly remove harmful content such as terrorism, hate speech, fraud, and child abuse material. These measures aim to minimize the risk of illegal content appearing and reduce the potential harm to users. The grace period for compliance ended on March 16, 2025, and platforms are now expected to conduct thorough risk assessments and adhere to the new regulations.
From March 17, 2025, Ofcom can enforce penalties for non-compliance, including fines of up to £18 million or 10% of a company’s global revenue.
In severe cases, the regulator may take legal action to block access to offending sites within the UK. The Online Safety Act also introduces “illegal harm duties,” which require platforms to act swiftly upon detecting harmful material and prevent its future appearance. As part of the new framework, Ofcom will assess platforms based on their risk profiles and compliance with the Act’s regulations.
The law has sparked mixed reactions from experts, with some arguing that it could stifle innovation and increase online censorship. Jason Soroko, Senior Fellow at Sectigo, raised concerns about the technical challenges and costs faced by smaller platforms, particularly those with limited resources for content moderation. Automated detection tools may also struggle to distinguish context, leading to over-blocking of legitimate content. Additionally, uncertainty about the definition of “harmful content” may cause platforms to overcompensate in their efforts to comply.
However, many experts agree on the potential benefits of the Online Safety Act in reducing online harm. Iona Silverman, a partner at Freeths, supported the government’s efforts, emphasizing that the Act targets criminal activity, not censorship. She noted that Ofcom’s role is critical in ensuring that large platforms comply with the regulations. The Act’s success will depend on Ofcom’s ability to enforce the law effectively while ensuring proportionality and safeguarding free speech.
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