Internet: Safety
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of establishing an Online Safety Act fee regime through which the fees charged to individual platforms is equal to the costs to Ofcom for regulating those services.
Answered by Feryal Clark
Companies raising revenue from online services should cover the costs of regulation to keep the online environment safe for users. The Online Safety Act allows Ofcom to charge providers above a revenue threshold a justifiable and proportionate fee.
The Secretary of State is considering the contents of Ofcom’s ‘Online Safety – fees and penalties’ consultation, which closes on 9 January 2025. Departmental officials have regular contact with Ofcom regarding respective responsibilities in implementing the fee regime.
Parliament will be responsible for approving key aspects of the fee regime including regulations defining Qualifying Worldwide Revenue and the revenue threshold.
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