The Online Safety Act is a comprehensive legislation enacted by the UK government to regulate online content and ensure the safety of users on digital platforms. It grants the Office of Communications (Ofcom) the authority to oversee and enforce rules on social media companies and other online services, aiming to protect users from harmful or illegal content.

Under the Act, online platforms, especially large social media services, are required to:

• Conduct risk assessments to identify potential exposure to illegal content.

• Implement measures to prevent the dissemination of illegal material, such as content related to terrorism or child sexual exploitation.

• Uphold users' rights to freedom of expression and privacy.

• Establish clear processes for reporting and addressing user complaints.

• Maintain records and regularly review their safety protocols.

Additional duties are imposed on platforms likely to be accessed by children, including conducting children's risk assessments and implementing protections for young users.

Platforms that fail to comply with the Act's provisions may face significant penalties, including fines of up to £18 million or 10% of their global annual turnover, whichever is higher. In severe cases, Ofcom has the authority to block access to non-compliant services within the UK.

The Online Safety Act includes provisions to protect freedom of expression and access to information. It requires platforms to consider users' rights to free speech and mandates that they implement measures to protect content of democratic importance and journalistic content. This ensures that while harmful content is regulated, legitimate discourse is not unduly restricted.

The Online Safety Act received royal assent on 26 October 2023. Its provisions are being implemented in stages, with full enforcement expected by 2025. Ofcom is currently developing codes of practice and guidelines to assist platforms in complying with the new regulations.