The implementation of the Online Safety Act is set to bring significant changes for social media firms, especially concerning compliance and safety measures.
- Dame Melanie Dawes, CEO of Ofcom, emphasized that social media companies must adhere to new regulations, or face substantial fines.
- From Spring 2025, failure to implement proper safeguards could result in fines amounting to 10% of global revenue for these companies.
- The Online Safety Act, aimed at curbing harmful content, could potentially result in the shutdown of platforms posing severe risks.
- Companies have begun preparing for these changes, with a focus on assessing previously unconsidered risks.
The Online Safety Act’s enactment is poised to significantly impact how social media companies operate within the UK. Dame Melanie Dawes, CEO of Ofcom, conveyed on BBC Radio Five Live the urgency for these firms to comply with the new law passed last year. The act, designed to prevent harmful social media content, will see rigorous enforcement starting in the upcoming Spring.
Dawes highlighted a crucial timeline, stating that by the end of the current year, significant submissions will be made to the government, triggering the needed actions from companies. She underscored that by Spring 2025, social media firms not implementing adequate safeguards face hefty fines of up to 10% of their global revenue. This move underscores the serious repercussions for non-compliance.
In more severe scenarios, the act allows Ofcom to impose extreme penalties, including the potential shutdown of platforms that severely compromise online safety. Ofcom’s CEO stressed that initial steps involve companies conducting thorough risk assessments, addressing previously overlooked areas. Without satisfactory execution of this step, companies could face enforcement actions, even solely for this shortcoming.
Melanie Dawes mentioned that while some companies are actively preparing for these substantial regulatory changes, the expectation is for widespread and significant adaptations. Ofcom’s close collaboration with a select number of social media enterprises, particularly smaller and riskier firms as well as major players, highlights the targeted approach of this implementation.
Although the Online Safety Act was incorporated into British law in October 2023, enforcement had been previously stalled, leaving Ofcom unable to hold social media giants accountable for incidents such as inciting far-right demonstrations across the nation. Hanna Basha from Payne Hicks Beach law firm emphasized the importance of Ofcom’s measures, particularly in safeguarding children online. She noted that the presence of serious penalties for non-compliance was integral to the law’s effectiveness.
These actions mark a pivotal advancement in enforcing online safety and holding social media companies accountable.
