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UK Online Safety Act 2023 - Government Collection
governmentCredibility Rating
4/5
High(4)High quality. Established institution or organization with editorial oversight and accountability.
Rating inherited from publication venue: UK Government
Relevant to AI governance as the Act covers AI-generated synthetic media and sets precedents for platform-level content regulation that may intersect with AI deployment responsibilities in the UK.
Metadata
Importance: 55/100legislationreference
Summary
The UK Online Safety Act 2023 establishes legal duties for social media platforms and search engines to proactively protect users, especially children, from harmful content online. It represents a significant regulatory framework holding platforms accountable for user safety rather than relying solely on user reporting. Ofcom is empowered as the regulator to enforce compliance.
Key Points
- •Received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023, making it binding law in the UK.
- •Imposes new legal duties on social media companies and search services to protect children and adults from online harms.
- •Platforms must proactively identify and mitigate risks rather than merely responding to user reports.
- •Ofcom serves as the designated regulator with enforcement powers including significant financial penalties.
- •Includes provisions addressing synthetic media, illegal content, and age verification requirements.
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[Withdrawn] Online Safety Bill - GOV.UK
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Collection
Online Safety Bill
Documents, publications and announcements relating to the government's Online Safety Bill.
2 August 2024 ">
This collection was withdrawn on 2 August 2024
The Online Safety Bill received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023.
For more information read the Online Safety Act explainer or visit www.legislation.gov.uk .
From:
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology and Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport
Published
3 January 2023
Last updated
30 June 2023
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Contents
Related legislation
Factsheets
Research
Announcements
The Online Safety Act 2023 (the Act) is a new set of laws that protects children and adults online. It puts a range of new duties on social media companies and search services, making them more responsible for their users’ safety on their platforms.
Related legislation
The Online Safety Act on legislation.gov.uk
Commencement regulations No.1
Commencement regulations No.2
Commencement regulations No.3
The Online Safety (List of Overseas Regulators) Regulations 2024
Factsheets
Changes to the illegal content duties within the Online Safety Bill
Enhanced protections for journalism within the Online Safety Bill
Research
Online harms research publications: December 2022
Announcements
Put your Online Safety Bill questions to Secretary of State Michelle Donelan
Michelle Donelan writes to parents, setting out how the Online Safety Bill will keep children safe
Jermaine Jenas, Myleene Klass, Georgia Kousoulou amongst public figures backing Online Safety Bill
Updates to this page
Published 3 January 2023
Last updated 30 June 2023
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30 June 2023
Online Safe
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