United Kingdom: Office of Communications opened consultation on role of app stores in children’s online safety under Online Safety Act

On 3 November 2025, the Office of Communications (Ofcom) opened a stakeholder consultation until 1 December 2025 to support its statutory report on the role of app stores in children’s online safety under the Online Safety Act 2023. The consultation seeks information on app store governance, age ratings, parental controls, and discoverability systems affecting children’s access to harmful content through regulated applications. Ofcom also invites evidence on age-assurance measures integrated by app stores and their interaction with the safety duties of downstream regulated services. The consultation examines developer-approval processes, removal procedures and transparency of safety warnings, as well as cost, privacy and interoperability factors affecting deployment. Responses will inform Ofcom’s statutory report due by January 2027, assessing whether app stores’ design and management practices effectively contribute to children’s online safety.