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ARTICLE · 30 OCTOBER 2024

Small But Risky Services Under The Online Safety Act

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Under the Online Safety Act, Ofcom is prioritizing "small but risky" services (e.g., under 49 employees) with high-risk content. Ofcom's proactive approach includes tailored codes, engagement, and swift enforcement, urging these services to assess compliance, allocate budgets, and implement risk mitigation measures.

United KingdomPrivacy
Nicola Margiotta
Nicola Margiotta
John Brunning
John Brunning

Dame Melanie Dawes has provided a clear indication of Ofcom's approach in relation to "small but risky" services under the Online Safety Act (the Act) following a letter from the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology asking Ofcom to explain how it proposes to monitor these services and how it intends to use "the full force of enforcement."

This signals a very different approach to online safety and smaller businesses will need to take action. This includes building in greater compliance costs into their budgets (across legal, operational and technical aspects) and engaging with the requirements of the Act and Codes of practice early as its clear that Ofcom are going to be taking a proactive approach in this space.

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