UK Online Safety Act 2023 - Government Collection

government

UK Government·gov.uk/government/collections/online-safety-bill

Credibility Rating

4/5

High(4)

High quality. Established institution or organization with editorial oversight and accountability.

Rating inherited from publication venue: UK Government

Relevant to AI governance as the Act covers AI-generated synthetic media and sets precedents for platform-level content regulation that may intersect with AI deployment responsibilities in the UK.

Metadata

Importance: 55/100legislationreference

Summary

The UK Online Safety Act 2023 establishes legal duties for social media platforms and search engines to proactively protect users, especially children, from harmful content online. It represents a significant regulatory framework holding platforms accountable for user safety rather than relying solely on user reporting. Ofcom is empowered as the regulator to enforce compliance.

Key Points

•Received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023, making it binding law in the UK.
•Imposes new legal duties on social media companies and search services to protect children and adults from online harms.
•Platforms must proactively identify and mitigate risks rather than merely responding to user reports.
•Ofcom serves as the designated regulator with enforcement powers including significant financial penalties.
•Includes provisions addressing synthetic media, illegal content, and age verification requirements.

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Collection


# Online Safety Bill

Documents, publications and announcements relating to the government's Online Safety Bill.

## This collection was withdrawn on 2 August 2024

The Online Safety Bill received Royal Assent on 26 October 2023.

For more information read the [Online Safety Act explainer](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer) or visit [www.legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50/enacted).

From:[Department for Science, Innovation and Technology](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-science-innovation-and-technology) and [Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport](https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-digital-culture-media-sport)Published3 January 2023Last updated
30 June 2023
— [See all updates](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/online-safety-bill#full-publication-update-history)

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Contents

- [Related legislation](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/online-safety-bill#related-legislation)
- [Factsheets](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/online-safety-bill#factsheets)
- [Research](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/online-safety-bill#research)
- [Announcements](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/online-safety-bill#announcements)

The Online Safety Act 2023 (the Act) is a new set of laws that protects children and adults online. It puts a range of new duties on social media companies and search services, making them more responsible for their users’ safety on their platforms.

## Related legislation

- [The Online Safety Act on legislation.gov.uk](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50/contents)
- [Commencement regulations No.1](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/1242/contents/made)
- [Commencement regulations No.2](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2023/1420/contents/made)
- [Commencement regulations No.3](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/31/contents/made)
- [The Online Safety (List of Overseas Regulators) Regulations 2024](https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2024/100/contents/made)

## Factsheets

- [Changes to the illegal content duties within the Online Safety Bill](https

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