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United Kingdom: Updated Illegal content Codes of Practice for search services under Online Safety Act 2023

Progress

Current status
under deliberation
15 May 2026 under deliberation
24 Apr 2026 processing consultation
24 Mar 2026 in consultation

Scope

Implementers
United Kingdom
Policy Area
Content moderation
Policy Instrument
Content moderation regulation
Regulated Economic Activity
search service provider
Government Branch
executive
Government Body
other regulatory body
Implementation Level
national

Timeline of events

15 May 2026
under deliberation

Office of Communications published draft consolidated Illegal Content Codes of Practice for search services including hash matching obligation for intimate image abuse

On 15 May 2026, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) published a draft consolidated version of the Illegal Content Codes of Practice for search services (ICS) under the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023). Ofcom submitted the amendments to the Secreta…

Event type order
Action type drafting
Government branch executive
Government body other regulatory body
24 Apr 2026
processing consultation

Office of Communications closes consultation on Draft Updated Illegal content Codes of Practice for search services under Online Safety Act 2023

On 24 April 2026, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) closes the consultation on a draft for an updated Illegal Content Codes of Practice for search services. The Codes were prepared under the Online Safety Act 2023 and set out recommended measures…

Event type order
Action type consultation closed
Government branch executive
Government body other regulatory body
24 Mar 2026
in consultation

Office of Communications opened consultation on Updated Draft Illegal content Codes of Practice for search services under Online Safety Act 2023

On 24 March 2026, the Office of Communications opened a consultation on a draft for an updated Illegal Content Codes of Practice for search services open until 24 April 2026. The Codes were prepared under the Online Safety Act 2023 and set out recom…

Event type order
Action type consultation opened
Government branch executive
Government body other regulatory body