Ofcom warns social media firms: ‘The time for talk is over’

Ofcom has announced a timeline for the implementation of the Online Safety Act, making 2025 a “pivotal year” for building a safer online world.

With two months left until the act comes into force, the watchdog has warned social media firms it will “come down hard” on those who fail to comply with the bill, imposing “significant” fines, limiting their access to payment providers or advertisers and even banning their service in the UK.

Melanie Dawes, Ofcom’s chief executive said: “The time for talk is over. From December, tech firms will be legally required to start taking action, meaning 2025 will be a pivotal year in creating a safer life online.

“We’ve already engaged constructively with some platforms and seen positive changes ahead of time, but our expectations are going to be high, and we’ll be coming down hard on those who fall short.”

The act, which received Royal Assent a year ago, requires social media firms to protect children from harmful content such as self-harm and violent material.

It is understood firms which fail to meet their responsibilities could face fines of up to 10 per cent of their global turnover.

The new timeline, which runs until Spring 2025, outlines how the regulator looks to ensure companies comply with the act.

In December, the regulator will publish the “first edition” of its illegal harm’s codes and guidance, and from then firms will have up to three months to complete the risk assessment. Later in the year, the regulator is also expected to consult on additional measures for the second edition codes and guidance.

In January, Ofcom will finalise its children’s access assessment guidance and guidance for pornography providers on age assurance, and platforms will have until April to assess whether their service is likely to be accessed by children.

A month later, Ofcom will consult on its best practice guidance on protecting girls online, and in April 2025, it will finalise its children’s safety codes and guidance, with companies having until July to complete the children’s risk assessment.

To date, the watchdog has already secured better protection from UK-based video-sharing platforms, including OnlyFans which has introduced age verification and Twitch which has introduced measures to stop children from seeing harmful videos.

Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat have also introduced measures to help prevent children being contacted by strangers.

Ofcom said these were “positive stops” but warned “many platforms will have to do far more” when the act comes into force in December.