In October 2023, the UK government enacted the Online Safety Act (OSA), introducing a comprehensive set of regulations aimed at fostering a safer online environment. The Act imposes stricter requirements for transparency, age verification, and content moderation, particularly on platforms frequented by children.

Under the OSA, businesses operating online are now required to enhance transparency by regularly publishing their safety measures and reporting their effectiveness to regulators. This obligation includes not only the creation of new policies but also the demonstration of their efficacy in mitigating risks associated with harmful content. The Act places a significant emphasis on platforms accessed by minors, necessitating additional safeguards and age-appropriate design features to protect young users.

Digital platforms must develop stringent risk mitigation policies and work closely with Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, which will oversee the implementation of the Act. Non-compliance may result in penalties, reinforcing the importance of maintaining detailed compliance records. Businesses will need to continuously update and improve their safety measures to adapt to evolving risks in the digital landscape.

Effective Age Verification for Child Protection

A critical component of the OSA is its focus on protecting children and young people online. By 2025, platforms accessible to minors must implement robust age verification systems to accurately determine whether users are children. While Ofcom will issue final guidance in early 2025, it is clear that outdated age-check methods, such as simple “yes/no” questions, will no longer suffice. Innovative technologies that ensure privacy while verifying user ages are now available and ready for deployment.

Moreover, platforms will be expected to incorporate age-appropriate design features that minimize children’s exposure to harmful content. This includes filtering explicit material, safeguarding personal data, and limiting interactions with adults, all while providing a user-friendly experience. Social media platforms, for instance, will need to reassess how they moderate conversations and structure content visibility.

Mandatory Content Moderation and Transparency

The OSA also mandates effective content moderation, requiring businesses to implement systems that address harmful content, including hate speech and violence. Platforms must adopt proactive measures to prevent the upload and spread of harmful content, ensuring that moderation efforts are transparent. Businesses must document and publish their moderation policies and actions to demonstrate accountability.

Failure to implement robust content moderation may lead to legal repercussions or fines from Ofcom, emphasizing the Act’s focus on both safety measures and their practical effectiveness.

Technological Innovations for Safety

Safety technology providers are continually innovating to enhance online security. In the realm of age assurance, advancements in AI-driven techniques now offer accurate, privacy-preserving methods to verify user ages. Some age verification methods may require minimal user interaction, such as uploading an ID or a selfie, while others utilize existing user data, like email addresses, collected during account creation.

In terms of content moderation, AI will play a pivotal role, working alongside human moderators to swiftly identify and remove harmful material at scale.

Opportunities for UK Businesses

For UK businesses, the OSA represents not just a regulatory challenge but also an opportunity to improve online safety. By adopting cutting-edge safety measures and prioritizing transparency, companies can build user trust and demonstrate a commitment to child protection.

Proactive implementation of effective age verification and content moderation can help businesses avoid regulatory fines and adapt swiftly to future changes. While the new legislation may require operational adjustments, staying informed on regulatory updates and leveraging innovative technologies can position companies as trusted leaders in online safety, ultimately enhancing protections for children and young people.