Ofcom Proposes New Measures to Combat Illegal Content and Improve Online Safety

Ofcom, the UK’s online safety regulator, has proposed new measures to combat the spread of illegal content on tech platforms, particularly to protect children. The consultation, launched on Monday, aims to strengthen existing regulations and address evolving online risks. Key proposals include requiring platforms to stop harmful content from going viral, implement proactive measures to detect terrorist material, and introduce mechanisms to report livestreams depicting imminent physical harm. These measures are part of a broader effort to hold platforms accountable and enforce swift action where necessary. The consultation also focuses on providing additional protections for children, such as preventing virtual gifts from being sent to minors during livestreams and restricting the recording of child livestreams. However, critics, like Ian Russell from the Molly Rose Foundation, argue that the proposed regulations lack ambition and fail to address the systemic weaknesses in the Online Safety Act. They call for a more comprehensive approach to combat preventable harms, such as suicide and self-harm, on social media. The consultation remains open until October 20, 2025, and seeks feedback from the public, service providers, and law enforcement.