Ofcom Issues Guidance for Tech Firms to Tackle Online Harms

Ofcom issued new codes of practice under the UK Online Safety Act mandating that tech platforms complete illegal harms risk assessments by March 16, 2025, and implement measures to curb content related to terrorism, hate, fraud, child sexual abuse, and suicide. The guidance includes governance accountability, improved moderation and reporting, algorithm testing, protective controls for children, CSAM detection, tools against intimate image abuse and cyberflashing, real-time fraud reporting channels, and removal of users tied to proscribed terrorist groups. Ofcom can levy fines up to £18m or 10% of global revenue for non-compliance and plans additional consultation in Spring 2025 on AI-driven safety measures and crisis response protocols.