United Kingdom: Office of Communications closes consultation on updated draft Illegal Content Codes of Practice for user-to-user services, including anti-harassment user controls

On 20 October 2025, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) closes its consultation on the draft Illegal Content Codes of Practice for user-to-user services, which was initiated on 30 June 2025. These codes outline measures for anti-harassment user controls under ICU J1 and ICU J2, applicable to large services and certain smaller services likely to be accessed by children. Providers must offer registered users the ability to block or mute other accounts, including preventing connected or unconnected users from sending direct messages or interacting with posted content. Blocking restricts all mutual encounters of content, while muting limits visibility unless the muted account’s profile is directly accessed. Services must also enable users to disable comments on their content and provide clear, accessible information on these controls, tailored to the youngest permitted users. These measures apply to services at medium or high risk of harassment, stalking, threats, or abuse, as defined in the risk assessment under the Online Safety Act 2023. The updates form part of broader changes including new content moderation measures (ICU C11-C16), enhanced reporting requirements (ICU D15-D17), recommender system safeguards (ICU E2), settings (ICU F3), and user access (ICU H2-H3). Modifications affect existing provisions on content moderation (ICU C1, C4, C9), reporting (ICU D8-D11, D13), settings (ICU F1-F2), terms of service (ICU G1), and user controls (ICU J1-J2).