UK Launches Online Safety Act, Mandates Tech Firms to Combat Illegal Content by March 2025; Fines Up to 10% of Global Revenue

Dec 16, 2024, 10:25 AM

The UK has initiated the enforcement of its new Online Safety Act, which mandates that tech companies identify and eliminate illegal content from their platforms. The first phase of this law, which took effect on December 16, 2024, requires social media and other sites to take action against illegal material, with firms given until March 16, 2025, to assess risks associated with such content. The UK government plans to impose significant penalties on non-compliant companies, potentially fining them up to 10% of their global revenue or banning them altogether. Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has published the initial codes of practice designed to guide tech firms in adhering to these new regulations. CEO Dame Melanie Dawes emphasized the necessity of these measures to protect children and vulnerable individuals from harmful online content. The law's introduction comes amid rising concerns about online safety, particularly in light of recent social media-related incidents, including arrests linked to expressions of dissent regarding political symbols.