UK Online Safety Act
In force United Kingdom · In force Mar 17, 2025 · no upcoming deadlines
Deadlines
Summaries for reference, not legal advice. Check the official text.
What it does
Imposes duties of care on user-to-user services and search engines to assess and mitigate illegal content risks and, where children can access the service, to protect children (including highly effective age assurance for pornography and other primary priority content). Categorised services face additional transparency, user empowerment and fraudulent advertising duties.
- Who it applies to
- User-to-user services, search services and pornography providers with links to the UK (significant number of UK users or UK target market), regardless of where based. Categorised (Category 1/2A/2B) services based on UK user numbers and functionality thresholds in secondary legislation. Fees payable by providers with qualifying worldwide revenue at or above the threshold set by regulations.
- Penalties
- Up to GBP 18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater; business disruption measures and criminal liability for senior managers in some cases.
- Enforced by
- Ofcom
- Official name
- Online Safety Act 2023
- Citation
- 2023 c. 50
- Topics
- online-safety, children
Research notes
Ofcom published its register of categorised services on 10 July 2026 (per RPC and Bristows reporting; Ofcom page not fetched), with consultations on Category 1 duties open to 2 Oct 2026 and final codes expected by mid-2027. Fee notification close date (11 Apr 2026) taken from Ofcom-sourced reporting; Ofcom page returned 403 during verification.
Related
Data (Use and Access) ActQuestions about UK Online Safety Act
- What are the UK Online Safety Act compliance deadlines?
- Oct 26, 2023: Royal Assent. Mar 17, 2025: Illegal harms duties enforceable. Apr 16, 2025: Children's access assessments due. Jul 25, 2025: Protection of children duties apply. Apr 11, 2026: Fee notification window closes (2026/27).
- When does UK Online Safety Act take effect?
- UK Online Safety Act took effect on Mar 17, 2025.
- Who does UK Online Safety Act apply to?
- User-to-user services, search services and pornography providers with links to the UK (significant number of UK users or UK target market), regardless of where based. Categorised (Category 1/2A/2B) services based on UK user numbers and functionality thresholds in secondary legislation. Fees payable by providers with qualifying worldwide revenue at or above the threshold set by regulations.
- What are the penalties under UK Online Safety Act?
- Up to GBP 18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater; business disruption measures and criminal liability for senior managers in some cases.