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Internet: Safety

Asked by Alex EastonIndependentDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 23 January 2025UIN 24366

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether his Department is taking steps to (a) clarify (i) liability and (ii) enforcement thresholds under the Online Safety Act 2023 and (b) help tackle the unintended consequences of that Act for small, independent online community operators.

Answered by Feryal Clark

All user-to-user and search services in scope of the Act must tackle illegal content and, where relevant, protect children from harm. Ofcom is the independent regulator for this regime and takes a proportionate and risk-based approach to regulation. Ofcom must ensure burdens on providers are proportionate to their risk factors, size, and capacity.

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