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United Kingdom: Illegal content duties under Online Safety Act entered into force

Policy overview

Description

Illegal content duties under Online Safety Act entered into force

On 17 March 2025, the illegal content duties under the Online Safety Act (OSA) entered into force. The Office of Communications (Ofcom) issued illegal content Codes of Practice for user-to-user services that implement the OSA. Providers were requir…

Scope

Policy Area
Content moderation
Policy Instrument
Content moderation regulation
Regulated Economic Activity
platform intermediary: user-generated content
Implementation Level
national
Government Branch
executive
Government Body
central government

Complete timeline of this policy change

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2021-05-12
under deliberation

On 12 May 2021, the UK Government issues its draft Online Safety Bill, which establishes a regulato…

2021-12-14
under deliberation

On 14 December 2021, the Joint Committee on the Draft Online Safety Bill, which includes members of…

2022-03-17
under deliberation

The Online Safety Bill, which would establish a comprehensive regulatory framework against harmful …

2022-04-20
in consultation

On 20 April 2022, the UK Government opened a public consultation on the Online Safety Bill, which i…

2022-06-30
processing consultation

On 30 June 2022, the UK Government closed the public consultation for the Online Safety Bill, which…

2022-11-28
under deliberation

On 28 November 2022, UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport announced new amendments to …

2022-12-05
under deliberation

On 5 December 2022, amendments to the Online Safety Bill were made before the UK Parliament. The am…

2023-01-17
under deliberation

On 17 January 2023, the Online Safety Bill was passed by the UK House of Commons and will now be co…

2023-06-27
under deliberation

On 27 June 2023, the UK Ministry of Justice announced new amendments to the Online Safety Bill. In …

2023-09-19
adopted

On 19 September 2023, the Online Safety Bill was adopted by the UK Parliament. The Bill aims to enh…

2023-10-26
in grace period

On 26 October 2023, the Online Safety Act came into force with a grace period after receiving Royal…

2024-01-31
in force

On 31 January 2024, the provisions under part 10 of the Online Safety Act were implemented. The Act…

2025-03-17
in force

On 17 March 2025, the illegal content duties under the Online Safety Act (OSA) entered into force. …