Online Safety Act

[Stella123]

Hi. I just wondered how the Uk Online Safety Act would affect websleuths? I read that it includes forums based in other countries if they have Uk users or links to the Uk.

 

[LadyL]

Hi. I just wondered how the Uk Online Safety Act would affect websleuths? I read that it includes forums based in other countries if they have Uk users or links to the Uk.

what is the Act about?
WS requires a police or MSM link to post so presumably the UK police or MSM would not mention anything not allowable in the Act

 

[LadyL]

ok I just read what the Act is about and it seems to be focused on protecting users of websites
from being exposed to harmful content? as I mentioned above, WS already has controls in place whereby we can't post anything not already published by the police or MSM so just not sure if the Act would be relevant? I'm going to alert a mod so that they can address any concerns you might have

The UK Online Safety Act, passed on October 26, 2023, aims to enhance internet safety by holding online service providers accountable for user safety, particularly for children. Key features include:

• Legal Responsibilities: Companies must assess and manage safety risks from harmful content and user conduct on their platforms.
  
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• Duties for Social Media: The Act imposes new duties on social media companies and search services to protect users from harmful content.
  
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• Implementation Timeline: The Act is being implemented in phases, with full compliance expected by 2026.
  
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  For more detailed information, you can refer to the official legislation or the overview provided by BDO.
  
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[Stella123]

I was asking because it's been a big thing in the Uk, affecting forums, and I read some US sites blocked all Uk members rather than have to do a risk assessment! I don't particularly want to be blocked lol (as a Uk member). It became law on 17th March.

 

[Stella123]

"The Act applies to services even if the companies providing them are outside the UK should they have links to the UK. This includes if the service has a significant number of UK users, if the UK is a target market, or it is capable of being accessed by UK users and there is a material risk of significant harm to such users."

Most forums of course are not harmful but there is a risk assessment/paperwork thing that they ask "user to user" services to complete.

Online Safety Act: explainer

www.gov.uk

Guide for services: complying with the Online Safety Act

The Online Safety Act makes businesses responsible for keeping people, especially children, safe online. Here’s what you need to know and do now.

www.ofcom.org.uk

 

[Stella123]

I would think websleuths is ok as there's a good team of mods

 

[howatab]

The Online Safety Act could have a significant impact on web sleuths by imposing new constraints on their access and use of online information. It will be important for them to stay informed of the new regulations and adapt their practices accordingly.

192.168.100.1 192.168.1.1 ​

 

[Simply Southern]

ok I just read what the Act is about and it seems to be focused on protecting users of websites
from being exposed to harmful content? as I mentioned above, WS already has controls in place whereby we can't post anything not already published by the police or MSM so just not sure if the Act would be relevant? I'm going to alert a mod so that they can address any concerns you might have

The UK Online Safety Act, passed on October 26, 2023, aims to enhance internet safety by holding online service providers accountable for user safety, particularly for children. Key features include:

• Legal Responsibilities: Companies must assess and manage safety risks from harmful content and user conduct on their platforms.
  
  1
• Duties for Social Media: The Act imposes new duties on social media companies and search services to protect users from harmful content.
  
  1
• Implementation Timeline: The Act is being implemented in phases, with full compliance expected by 2026.
  
  1
  
  For more detailed information, you can refer to the official legislation or the overview provided by BDO.
  
  2

This has been a hot topic recently. Although the ACT has not been specifically referred to, there's been much chatter about freedom of speak and heavy burden on US providers.

The ACT has a wide scope and places the burden on the website. I think many website accessible in the UK, without a restriction for membership requirement for viewing content would be at risk?

Some examples of websites that can be viewed without membership, open to entire public viewing.

Reddit. Twitter, YouTube (for sure), many US media sources, Facebook, and many more.

https://www.theguardian.com/media/2025/mar/17/social-media-companies-fines-uk-illegal-content-online-safety-

acthttps://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/oct/24/techscape-uk-online-safety-bill-clean-up-internet


The bill is based on three fundamental duties: protecting children; shielding the public from illegal content; and helping adult users avoid harmful – but not illegal – content on the biggest platforms.
A company is within the scope of the bill if it distributes user-generated material to other users or is a search engine. So it will cover an array of platforms, from X to Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and TikTok as well as Google.

To comply with those child and illegal content duties, companies will have to carry out risk assessments on whether that content appears on their service.

All of this will take place under the oversight of communications regulator Ofcom, which will issue guidance on what content to focus on preventing and the systems needed to deal with it. Companies can adhere to Ofcom’s codes of practice for dealing with this content or come up with their own methods of dealing with such material.
...

 

[Simply Southern]

Hi. I just wondered how the Uk Online Safety Act would affect websleuths? I read that it includes forums based in other countries if they have Uk users or links to the Uk.

When does this go into effect?

Am I understanding correctly, children access and any/all harassment, and hate speech, regardless of age?

 

[dalsglen]

When does this go into effect?

Am I understanding correctly, children access and any/all harassment, and hate speech, regardless of age?

It's in effect already, has been for a while but emails have recently been sent out to certain websites with warnings. So some have bowed down and blocked UK users. So now we can't read certain news websites or visit forums.

Child has a device then yes they can access whatever they like.

I just use tor nowadays to access my now blocked website. It's absolutely ridiculous.

Can groom kids on roblox etc but can't read the news, the mind boggles. I'll go to jail before I stop reading what I want to.

 

[Simply Southern]

It's in effect already, has been for a while but emails have recently been sent out to certain websites with warnings. So some have bowed down and blocked UK users. So now we can't read certain news websites or visit forums.

Child has a device then yes they can access whatever they like.

I just use tor nowadays to access my now blocked website. It's absolutely ridiculous.

Can groom kids on roblox etc but can't read the news, the mind boggles. I'll go to jail before I stop reading what I want to.

Am I understanding, online gaming is not included? Can a gaming device access blocked media sites?

It's very interesting, I've heard about large fines and fees on our Internet companies, censorship and was unaware this was a actually already in affect. I know some of our members are unable to access certain articles. Never understood the logistics/regulations behind this.

I'm in Virginia, pornographic sites have blocked access to our IP addresses, due to our laws protecting children.

From what I'm reading, it's large internet companies that are being held accountable. Moo, I don't think they're looking at small forums. The target seems to be the big players with the big bucks, they have the most to lose.

 

[Stella123]

Forums are classed as "user to user" services, so they fall under the act. The risk assessment seems to be about mitigating against the potential for illegal content to be posted (they list 17 include inappropriate child stuff like grooming and more, terrorism, bullying etc), that could affect adults or children.

They basically say most sites are classed as "accessible to children" if they don't have Ofcom accepted age verification software. If it doesn't have age verification software, then there's a need to do a further Child Risk Assessment. Which sites are supposed to be doing now (and complete before July) despite the fact Ofcom hasn't released all the documentation yet. So far just this Child Risk Assessement Guidance. Linked that below. They've already published 1800 pages or so of guidance for the basic risk assessment (which became law on 17th March).

There's a big focus on hyperlinks. They seem to be saying that any site with hyperlinks, has a risk for illegal harms to be posted. Sounds like automated moderation is a way of mitigating. Scanning links etc. Or using age verification.

https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/consultations/category-1-10-weeks/284469-consultation-protecting-children-from-harms-online/associated-documents/a6-draft-childrens-risk-assessment-guidance-risk-profiles.pdf?v=368062