In a historic move, the Online Safety Act has received Royal Assent today, marking a significant step towards enhancing internet safety and individual choice. The legislation introduces groundbreaking legal obligations on social media platforms, emphasising a zero-tolerance stance on online harm, especially for children.
The Act places the onus on tech companies to swiftly remove illegal content, ranging from terrorism to revenge pornography, with potential fines reaching into the billions for non-compliance. Notably, leaders of these platforms could even face imprisonment if they fail to meet the mandated requirements to protect children.
Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan expressed pride in this transformative legislation, stating, “Today will go down as a historic moment that ensures the online safety of British society not only now but for decades to come.” The Act priorities child protection, targeting harmful content such as bullying, self-harm promotion, eating disorders, and explicit material.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman highlighted the Act’s stern message to criminals, asserting that there will be “no hiding place for their vile crimes.” The legislation’s robust protections against child sexual abuse on social media platforms are seen as a crucial advancement.
Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, Alex Chalk, emphasised the Act’s role in making the internet safer for everyone, particularly protecting women and girls from online abuse. The legislation introduces measures against trolls encouraging serious self-harm, cyberflashing, or sharing intimate images without consent, with potential imprisonment consequences.
In addition to shielding children, the Act empowers adults by providing three layers of protection: ensuring the removal of illegal content, enforcing promises made by social media platforms, and offering users the option to filter out unwanted content.
The Act also addresses violence against women and girls, making it easier to convict those sharing intimate images without consent. Offenders found guilty of this offence could face up to six months in prison, with more severe penalties for threats or actions causing distress, alarm, or humiliation.
NSPCC Chief Executive, Sir Peter Wanless, hailed the Online Safety Act as a “watershed moment” for child safety, emphasising the legal compulsion on tech companies to protect children from abuse. The Act’s enforcement will involve eye-watering fines and criminal sanctions for non-compliant companies.
Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom Chief Executive, assured that Ofcom’s new powers are aimed at tackling the root causes of harm online. Ofcom plans to set new standards, prioritising safety by design while respecting individuals’ rights to privacy and freedom of expression.
As social media companies prepare for the Act’s enforcement, TikTok has strengthened age verification, and Snapchat has initiated the removal of underage accounts. Ofcom is set to begin work on tackling illegal content, with a phased approach to implementing the Online Safety Act and prioritising enforcement against the most harmful content.
With most provisions commencing in two months, the government, in collaboration with Ofcom, is working to ensure swift implementation and comprehensive protection for the nation. Ofcom’s consultation process, starting on November 9, 2023, signals the beginning of a new era in online safety.
