Progress

Current status
in force
10 Jan 2024 in force
26 Oct 2023 in grace period
19 Sep 2023 adopted
17 Jan 2023 under deliberation
30 Jun 2022 processing consultation
20 Apr 2022 in consultation
17 Mar 2022 under deliberation
12 May 2021 under deliberation

Scope

Implementers
United Kingdom
Policy Area
Content moderation
Policy Instrument
Content moderation authority governance
Regulated Economic Activity
platform intermediary: user-generated content
Government Branch
legislature
executive
Government Body
parliament
central government
Implementation Level
national

Timeline of events

10 Jan 2024
in force

Implemented Online Safety Act including new oversight powers for Ofcom

On 10 January 2024, the Online Safety Act was implemented. The Act gives the Office of Communications (Ofcom) the authority to enforce the new requirements outlined in the Act, including ongoing regulatory supervision of online services and imposing…

Source
Event type law
Action type implementation
Government branch legislature
Government body parliament
26 Oct 2023
in grace period

Entry into force with grace period of Online Safety Act including new oversight powers for Ofcom

On 26 October 2023, the Online Safety Act came into force with grace period after receiving Royal Assent. The Act gives the Office of Communications (Ofcom) the authority to enforce the new requirements outlined in the Act, including ongoing regulat…

Source
Event type law
Action type in force with grace period
Government branch legislature
Government body parliament
19 Sep 2023
adopted

Adopted Online Safety Bill including new oversight powers for Ofcom

On 19 September 2023, the Online Safety Bill was adopted by the UK Parliament. The Bill gives the Office of Communications (Ofcom) the authority to enforce the new requirements in the Bill, including through imposing fines. Further, Ofcom will be ab…

Source
Event type law
Action type adoption
Government branch legislature
Government body parliament
17 Jan 2023
under deliberation

Passed Online Safety Bill including new oversight powers for OfCom

On 17 January 2023, the Online Safety Bill passed through the House of Commons and will now be considered by the House of Lords. The Bill gives the Office of Communications (Ofcom) the authority to enforce the requirements in the bill. Ofcom can mak…

Source
Event type law
Action type passage
Government branch legislature
Government body parliament
30 Jun 2022
processing consultation

Closed consultation on Online Safety Bill including new oversight powers for OfCom

On 30 June 2022, the UK Government closed its Online Safety Bill for public consultation. The Bill gives the Office of Communications (Ofcom) the authority to enforce the requirements in the bill. Ofcom can make further provisions for the regulation…

Source
Event type law
Action type consultation closed
Government branch legislature
Government body parliament
20 Apr 2022
in consultation

Opened consultation on Online Safety Bill including new oversight powers for OfCom

On 20 April 2022, the UK Government opened its Online Safety Bill for public consultation. The Bill gives the Office of Communications (Ofcom) the authority to enforce the requirements in the bill. Ofcom can make further provisions for the regulatio…

Source
Event type law
Action type consultation opened
Government branch legislature
Government body parliament
17 Mar 2022
under deliberation

Introduced Online Safety Bill including new oversight powers for OfCom

The Online Safety Bill, which would establish a comprehensive regulatory framework against harmful online content, is introduced in the House of Commons. The Bill gives the Office of Communications (Ofcom) the authority to enforce the requirements i…

Source
Event type law
Action type introduction
Government branch legislature
Government body parliament
12 May 2021
under deliberation

Published draft UK Online Safety Bill includes oversight mechanism

The UK Government issues its draft Online Safety Bill, which gives the Office of Communications the authority to enforce the requirements in the bill. OfCom can make further provisions for regulation and must issue codes of practice on the existing …

Source
Event type law
Action type drafting
Government branch executive
Government body central government