Internet: Safety
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act's crisis response provisions.
Answered by Kanishka Narayan
On 18 June, the Government laid amendments to Ofcom's Codes of Practice under the Online Safety Act (OSA) to strengthen platforms’ response to crises. We expect these measures to be implemented in autumn 2026. These measures strengthen expectations on platforms to respond effectively where their services contribute to crises. This marks a change in how platforms are expected to tackle the harms to UK communities associated with these incidents. Once implemented, Ofcom will assess compliance and effectiveness of platform responses.
As set out in the Protecting What Matters strategy, Government has committed to reviewing the OSA’s existing s175 crisis response powers to ensure they remain fit for purpose.
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