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ARTICLE · 15 JULY 2026

Ofcom Consults About Draft Code On Fraudulent Advertising

Lewis Silkin
Lewis Silkin
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A single generative AI tool can now churn out thousands of convincing scam adverts in minutes, at virtually no cost. Ofcom has decided that the platforms profiting from those adverts must bear the burden of stopping...

United KingdomMedia, Telecoms, IT, Entertainment
Geraint Lloyd-Taylor
Geraint Lloyd-Taylor
Laura Harper
Laura Harper
Helen Hart
Helen Hart
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A single generative AI tool can now churn out thousands of convincing scam adverts in minutes, at virtually no cost. Ofcom has decided that the platforms profiting from those adverts must bear the burden of stopping them.

The regulator's new draft code on fraudulent advertising, published alongside its register of categorised services under the Online Safety Act 2023, proposes nearly 40 practical measures that will force the UK's largest platforms to verify advertisers, stress-test their AI tools, and embed anti-fraud governance at board level. 

The register of categorised services lists the larger platforms which must have in place greater levels of transparency and accountability, empower users with more choice and control, and protect users from fraudulent advertising. Larger services may fall under Category 1, 2A or 2B, and Category 1 and 2A services must take steps to prevent fraudulent advertising appearing on their platforms.

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