United Kingdom: Adopted Ofcom guidance on Online Safety Act’s applicability to Generative AI and chatbots

On 8 November 2024, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) issued an open letter to online service providers providing guidance and detailing the Online Safety Act’s applicability to Generative AI and chatbots. The guidance clarifies that platforms allowing user interactions through Generative AI-generated content, including images, videos, and text, are considered “user-to-user services” and thus fall under the Act's regulations. Additionally, services enabling users to create and share AI-generated chatbots are also regulated. Providers are required to prepare for compliance, with the first duties taking effect in December 2024, focusing on risk assessments and measures to mitigate harmful content.