Britain enforces new online safety rules for social media platforms
An initiative to combat social media crime, requiring compliance by 2025.
Britain‘s new online safety regime officially took effect on Monday, compelling social media platforms like Facebook and TikTok to combat criminal activity and prioritise safer design. Media regulator Ofcom introduced the first codes of practice aimed at tackling illegal harms, including child sexual abuse and content encouraging suicide. Platforms have until March 16, 2025, to assess the risks of harmful content and implement measures like enhanced moderation, easier reporting, and built-in safety tests.
Ofcom’s Chief Executive, Melanie Dawes, emphasised that tech companies are now under scrutiny to meet strict safety standards. Failure to comply after the deadline could result in fines of up to £18 million ($22.3 million) or 10% of a company’s global revenue. Britain’s Technology Secretary Peter Kyle described the new rules as a significant shift in online safety, pledging full support for regulatory enforcement, including potential site blocks.
The Online Safety Act, enacted last year, sets rigorous requirements for platforms to protect children and remove illegal content. High-risk sites must employ automated tools like hash-matching to detect child sexual abuse material. More safety regulations are expected in the first half of 2025, marking a major step in the UK’s fight for safer online spaces.
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