In an impending move, Ofcom will begin enforcing the Online Safety Act, leading to strict regulations on social media platforms.
- Enforcement of the Online Safety Act is expected to commence in spring, aiming to curb harmful online content.
- Social media firms may face fines up to 10% of their global revenues for non-compliance with the act.
- Ofcom is prepared to take severe measures, including dismantling companies that fail to ensure online safety.
- The new regulations demand social media companies to assess and mitigate risks actively.
In a significant development, Ofcom is preparing to enforce the Online Safety Act, a crucial piece of legislation designed to prevent the spread of harmful content on social media platforms. This move is set to begin in the spring, as announced by Ofcom CEO Dame Melanie Dawes during a recent interview on BBC Radio Five Live.
The law, which was passed last year, targets social media firms that fail to implement adequate safeguards against harmful content. Ofcom has indicated that companies failing to comply with the act could face fines amounting to as much as 10% of their global revenues from spring 2025. This unprecedented measure underscores the seriousness of the UK authority’s commitment to enhancing online safety.
Moreover, Ofcom holds the power to dismantle social media firms posing significant risks to online safety. Dawes remarked, “We are very clear that the first step that any responsible company needs to take, is to actually assess risks that they’ve never assessed before. If we don’t think they’ve done that job well enough, we can take enforcement action, simply against that failure.”
Dame Dawes further mentioned that some companies are already preparing for the upcoming changes. However, Ofcom expects substantial adjustments to be implemented by social media companies to meet the new requirements. The regulatory body is particularly focusing on smaller and potentially riskier companies, alongside the industry’s largest players.
Following the enactment of the law in October 2023, Ofcom has been unable to enforce its provisions until now. This limitation previously left them unable to hold companies accountable for events such as the far-right riots in the UK linked with social media activities.
Hanna Basha, a legal expert from Payne Hicks Beach, emphasised the importance of Ofcom’s enforcement approach: “Ofcom’s measures to protect children under the Online Safety Act are crucial. Without serious penalties for non-compliance, these measures won’t be effective.” She acknowledged the necessity for social media companies to bear new responsibilities, reinforcing the potential for penalties to ensure compliance.
These impending regulations mark a pivotal shift towards ensuring safer online environments across social media platforms.
