UK Tech Firms Begin Enforcing Online Safety Act on December 16, 2024, Focused on Illegal Content Removal, Says Dame Melanie Dawes

Dec 16, 2024, 08:15 AM

As of December 16, 2024, tech companies in the UK are mandated to begin identifying and removing illegal content from their platforms, marking the initiation of the first phase of the new Online Safety Act. This legislation aims to enhance online safety, with a subsequent phase focusing on child safety, pornography, and the protection of women and girls. Dame Melanie Dawes, CEO of Ofcom, emphasized the importance of these new regulations during a recent interview, stating that they will drive necessary actions within the industry. The Online Safety Act also plans to extend its regulations to how social media companies manage crises, such as recent riots in the UK. Ofcom has published final codes of practice to guide firms in addressing illegal content effectively.