UK internet watchdog gives social media companies three months to improve safety or face huge fines

Dec 16, 2024

Ofcom mandates UK online safety improvements by March 2025 or face fines.

UK internet watchdog gives social media companies three months to improve safety or face huge fines

: Ofcom requires social media and online services in the UK to enhance safety measures following the Online Safety Act. Companies have until mid-March 2025 to implement over 40 safety techniques or face fines up to $23 million or 10% of global revenue. The new regulations focus on fraud, illegal content moderation, and anti-CSAM practices. Ofcom consulted with stakeholders and promises improvements especially for children's safety online.

The UK's communication services regulator, Ofcom, is enforcing new regulations on social media and online services to enhance safety for users. Companies are given until mid-March 2025 to comply with over 40 detailed safety methods as part of the new Online Safety Act provisions, targeting fraud and child safety issues.

Included in these regulations are measures requiring companies to appoint senior compliance officers and train moderation teams effectively. Anti-CSAM techniques involve safeguarding children's profiles and utilizing advanced detection methods, with the aim of significantly lowering illegal content access.

Ofcom's approach is based on consultations with various stakeholders, including tech companies and parental associations. Financial penalties for non-compliance include fines of up to £18 million ($22.7 million) or 10 percent of a company's global revenue, with the possibility of blocking non-compliant sites' UK operations.