United Kingdom Expands Online Regulation: Ofcom Introduces New Measures

The United Kingdom continues its efforts to tighten the handling of illegal content on the internet and is expanding existing legislation with new regulations for social media. As announced by the British regulatory authority Ofcom, the rules will in the future also stipulate how social media companies should respond to crises, comparable to the recent unrest in the country. In a recently published guide to the Online Safety Act, a 2023 law regulating illegal content on internet platforms, Ofcom explained the planned measures. These also include proposals for the removal of content related to child sexual abuse and terrorism. Additionally, the introduction of "crisis response protocols for emergencies" is announced and expected next spring. These new developments are intended not only to increase safety online but also to intensify the pressure on social media companies to be aware of their responsibility in times of crisis, in order to respond even more quickly and effectively.