U.K. Implements Online Safety Act: Big Tech Companies Get Three Months’ Notice to Comply

Britain has implemented its new Online Safety Act, bringing in a step forward in accountability among tech sites. Starting from Monday, Ofcom-the British media and telecoms regulator-proposed its first batch of codes of practice that impose tough conditions on tech companies to take dangerous content that includes terrorism, hate speech, fraud, and CSAM material.

This is a critical step in the safety aspect in the digital space for the country, which shall now be followed by limitations so strict and penalties so severe for the offenders.

New Rules and Responsibilities for Tech Companies

The Online Safety Act, that went into effect in October 2023, imposed sweeping new responsibilities on tech platforms to take greater control over illegal content shared on their sites. The new rules include:

•Illegal Harm Risk Assessments must be completed by March 16, 2025.

•Steps taken to promote better moderation and safety capabilities.

•Better reporting mechanisms for users as well as complaint mechanism.

•Sophisticated technologies like hash-matching tools to be utilized for CSAM detection and removal purposes.

Ofcom’s guidelines are applicable across the usage of several online services. These include social media, search engines, messaging, gaming, and file-sharing platforms.

“We’ll be watching the industry closely to ensure firms match up to the strict safety standards set for them,” said Ofcom Chief Executive Melanie Dawes. “Further requirements will follow in the first half of next year.”

Potential Penalties for Non-Compliance

The Online Safety Act grants Ofcom considerable enforcement powers, including:

• Fines of up to 10% of a company’s global annual turnover for the infringement of the rules.

•Court orders to block access to services in the UK for serious infringements.

•Risk of jail time for senior managers in case of repeated noncompliance.

British Technology Minister Peter Kyle emphasized the gravity of these measures by stating that if the platforms failed to step up, the regulator had his backing to use its whole suite of powers, including imposing fines and blocking sites.

Technological Solutions to Tackle Online Harms

Codes at Ofcom require platforms to implement advanced tools to preempt harmful content. High-risk ones will be required to incorporate hash-matching technologies in which digital fingerprints of the known harmful material are identified and removed.

The regulator also mentioned that in 2025, it intended to consider further measures among which would include the deployment of artificial intelligence to suppress illegal content and enhanced punitive measures for accounts involved in sharing harmful material.

A Global Standard for Online Safety

The Online Safety Act has received applause regarding bridging the gap between two worlds, offline and online. By making “duties of care” upon the tech platforms enforceable, it will enable the creation of a much safer digital space while providing companies with the accountability necessary to take care of their platform’s content.

Ofcom has taken its turn in a global struggle that is growing to manage the digital platforms. Australia, like the European Union, introduced similar measures and fine with restrictions against tech giant Meta for failing to keep standards of safety.

A GREAT STEP TOWARDS DIGITAL ACCOUNTABILITY!

The Online Safety Act has indeed laid the path for a big step forward in curbing prolific online harm. March 2025 may soon be upon us, hopefully before technology companies have made further changes to the regulations governing their systems under which accountability cannot be ignored.
Working with proper regulation, the United Kingdom hopes to fix a global benchmark for online safety and build a safe and responsible digital environment.

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