United Kingdom: Published draft UK Online Safety Bill establishes framework for harmful content regulation
Description
Published draft UK Online Safety Bill establishes framework for harmful content regulation
On 12 May 2021, the UK Government issues its draft Online Safety Bill, which establishes a regulatory framework against harmful online content. The bill introduces a number of duties of care for providers of user-to-user services, such as the assessment of the probability of children accessing the service, the assessment of illegal content risk, the protection from privacy infringements and the guarantee of the freedom of expression as well as reporting duties. "Category 1 companies", which are the largest online platforms (whose threshold is decided by Ofcom), are required to address content "harmful to adults" that falls below the threshold of a criminal offence.
Original sourceScope
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
Hide details
2021-05-12
under deliberation
2021-12-14
under deliberation
2022-03-17
under deliberation
2022-04-20
in consultation
2022-06-30
processing consultation
2022-11-28
under deliberation
2022-12-05
under deliberation
2023-01-17
under deliberation
2023-06-27
under deliberation
2023-09-19
adopted
2023-10-26
in grace period
2024-01-31
in force
Key regulatory dimensions
Regulated subjects
The businesses, government agencies or individuals affected by this policy or regulatory change.
producer / supplier
1
Type
Private organisation
Economic activity
platform intermediary: user-generated content
Category
All
Policy change by business practice
The detailed activities within the scope of this policy or regulatory change.
user content: any format: hosting (any form)
Regulatory tool
Regulator reporting requirement
Registration requirement
Duty of care requirement
Private right of action
Technical standard adherence
Sanctions
Regulated subjects
1