United Kingdom: Office of Communications announced investigation into an online suicide discussion forum over non-compliance with Online Safety Act

On 9 April 2025, the Office of Communications announced an investigation into the provider of an online suicide discussion forum, whose identity has not been disclosed due to the sensitive nature of the service under the Online Safety Act 2023. The investigation concerns potential non-compliance with duties applicable to regulated user-to-user services, including failure to respond to an information request, failure to complete and retain a suitable and sufficient illegal content risk assessment. It also addresses failure to meet obligations related to protecting users from illegal content, providing reporting mechanisms, and handling complaints. The Act requires providers to assess and mitigate the risk of users encountering illegal content, including content encouraging or assisting suicide. It imposes obligations to implement proportionate systems for preventing and swiftly removing such content, providing clear and consistently applied terms of service, and enabling users to report harmful material and make complaints. The illegal content duties took effect on 17 March 2025, following the publication of the Codes of Practice on 24 February 2025. The investigation will examine potential non-compliance with the duties and a failure to respond to an enforcement information notice. Non-compliance with the obligations may result in the imposition of fines of up to GBP 18 million or 10% of global revenue and seeking court orders requiring third parties to block services.