Internet: Safety
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how his Department determined the category 2A threshold of seven million average monthly active UK users in the Online Safety Act 2023.
Answered by Feryal Clark
In March 2024, Ofcom published research and advice on categorisation, as required by the Online Safety Act. Ofcom’s advice can be found at the following web address: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/categorisation-research-and-advice/. In April 2024, Ofcom published a letter which provides some clarification on the approach that Ofcom took to developing its proposals and the results of the testing of threshold options. This letter can be found at the following web address: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets/resources/documents/about-ofcom/public-correspondence/2024/04-24-letter-melanie-dawes-categorisation.pdf?v=322334. On 16 December, the Secretary of State laid regulations in line with Ofcom’s recommendations.
Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →