United Kingdom: Office of Communications issued update in its investigation into Yolobit over alleged failure to comply with illegal content duties under Online Safety Act

On 13 October 2025, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) provided an update on its ongoing investigation into Yolobit, the provider of a file-sharing service (Case No. CW/01306/06/25). After Ofcom informed the service provider that it had opened its investigation, Yolobit became unavailable to people in the United Kingdom and, to Ofcom’s knowledge, more widely. The investigation, opened on 10 June 2025, concerns potential non-compliance with obligations under the Online Safety Act 2023. Ofcom is examining whether the provider failed to respond to a statutory information request, complete and retain a suitable and sufficient illegal-content risk assessment, and comply with the safety duties relating to illegal content that came into effect on 17 March 2025. These duties apply to regulated user-to-user services and include obligations to assess risks and adopt measures to prevent users from encountering priority illegal content, including image-based child sexual abuse material (CSAM). As part of its enforcement programme, Ofcom issued an information notice to the provider on 1 April 2025, requesting a response by 1 May 2025. Ofcom continues to monitor the service’s availability and pursue further lines of inquiry.