Ofcom

Ofcom

@ofcom.bsky.social

Official account for Ofcom, the UK’s independent communications regulator. ofcom.org.uk

2.9K followers45 following60 posts

X has submitted its first quarterly report on its commitments to tackle illegal hate and terror content. This appears to show improvements in time taken to review reports, but concerns remain on its response to taking down illegal content.

Our Media Nations research reveals the nation's changing media habits. 📺 Broadcaster on-demand services grew year on year. ⚽ Live event TV like the World Cup continued to attract huge audiences. 🔎 Viewers turn to Netflix and BBC first when searching for something to watch.

We're investigating whether TikTok's age assurance measures are effective at protecting UK children from harmful content. This follows our new report looking at the use of age checks under the Online Safety Act.

New commitments to protect children online will mean: 🔷 Adults can't message children on Snap by default 🔷 Parents can switch off chat for under-16s on Roblox 🔷 Instagram to detect sexualised conversations between adults and teens More 🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...

📢 New proposals to extend audience protections to the largest streaming services used by UK viewers. Plans adapt familiar TV standards for streaming, covering under‑18s, harm and offence, due accuracy and impartiality, and fairness and privacy.🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and...

🧵 This forum has reportedly been linked with over 130 UK deaths. Despite making changes to block UK users, it is still accessible here without a VPN. The fact that the provider is based outside the UK does not mean the forum is outside the scope of the Online Safety Act.

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The forum failed to comply with its duties to tackle content that intentionally encourages or assists suicide - which is a criminal offence. It has been cited in multiple coroners’ reports regarding the deaths of UK citizens. It now has two weeks to come into compliance.

We are preparing to apply for a court order to block the forum in the UK, if our concerns are not addressed. Given the risk of serious harm, we're using the full extent of our powers to protect people in the UK. Read our full statement: www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...

ofcom.org.ukOfcom fines online suicide forum £950,000Ofcom has today fined the provider of an online suicide forum £950,000 for not complying with duties under the Online Safety Act to protect people in the UK from illegal content.

🧵 This forum has reportedly been linked with over 130 UK deaths. Despite making changes to block UK users, it is still accessible here without a VPN. The fact that the provider is based outside the UK does not mean the forum is outside the scope of the Online Safety Act.

It is capable of being used by people in the UK, including without a VPN, and presents a material risk of significant harm. The Online Safety Act is clear that this means it must comply with our online safety laws.

Our research on how UK adults use media finds: 📱 They're more passive on social media, with less people actively posting, sharing or commenting 🤖 AI adoption accelerates, including for companionship and creativity 📰 Trust in news sources is fragmented Read more: www.ofcom.org.uk/media-use-an...

We've fined 4chan £450,000 for not having age checks in place to prevent children seeing porn on its site. The Online Safety Act is concerned with protecting people in the UK. It doesn't require platforms to restrict what people in other countries see. 🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...

📢 Our rules to fuel the full-fibre rollout and support UK productivity. 🛜 Nearly 8 in 10 homes have access to full-fibre broadband 📈 That's up from less than 1 in 4 in 2021 👍 Upgrades bolster UK productivity, as AI transforms businesses More 🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-b...

We've set out four clear demands for sites and apps most popular with children, to: 🚫 Enforce their minimum age rules 🛡️ Put in place grooming protections ⚙️ Make their algorithms safer 🧪 Stop testing new products and features on children

The Media Act is the first major change to media legislation for 20 years. It will: 🛡️ Protect audiences on more platforms ✅ Make sure disabled people can access & enjoy content 📡 Ensure public service media continues to deliver for audiences 🎧 Update regulation to reflect modern listening habits

We've set out the next steps in our investigation – and the limitations of the Online Safety Act in relation to AI chatbots. It's important to note that enforcement investigations like this take time. We'll provide updates during this process. ⬇️

Ofcom reposted

We've launched an investigation into X over Grok sexualised imagery. We've opened a formal investigation into X under the Online Safety Act, to determine whether it has complied with its duties to protect people in the UK from content that is illegal in the UK. 🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...

🔒 Children in the UK will lead safer online lives as we've finalised safety measures for sites and apps to introduce from July. Tech firms must act to prevent children from seeing harmful content, and meet their duties under the Online Safety Act ➡️ Read more: www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...

The universal postal service needs reform to remain sustainable. We propose: 📨 First class to still be delivered next day, six days a week. 📩 Second class delivered on alternate weekdays - within three days. 🚫 No Saturday deliveries for Second Class. More 🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/post/royal-m...

🚨 A major milestone in online safety. Sites and apps must now start taking action to protect people from illegal harm online. Key measures include: 🔒 Senior accountability for safety 🛠️ Improved content moderation and reporting systems 🛡️ Protecting children from abuse

At this time of year, be extra vigilant about scams: 🛍️ Online shopping scams could see you parted from your money. 📦 Beware of dodgy parcel delivery messages. 🚗 Parking scams are rife – be careful when using car parks. Find out more: www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-b...

ofcom.org.ukSeasonal scams to watch out forAt this time of year it pays to be extra vigilant when it comes to scams. So, we wanted to remind you of a few common scams to watch out for, to help you avoid falling victim.