UK Regulator Investigates Social Media Firms Over Child Abuse Content

Ofcom launches enforcement under the Online Safety Act as critics call for stronger protections against harmful material.

Ofcom has begun enforcing the Online Safety Act, requiring social media platforms to detect and remove illegal content such as child sexual abuse material, terrorism-related content, and fraud.
The regulator is investigating companies, including Elon Musk’s X and Meta platforms, for compliance with new legal duties to prevent and remove harmful material online.
Companies failing to meet these obligations face fines of up to 10% of their global revenue or potential UK site blocks, with executives at risk of jail for persistent violations.
Critics argue Ofcom’s approach is too lenient, failing to adequately protect children from harmful content and prioritizing the concerns of tech companies over public safety.
The UK government has pledged to strengthen the Online Safety Act further to address emerging threats, including AI-generated abuse images and other harmful online practices.