Ofcom has published an explainer on how AI chatbots are covered by the Online Safety Act (OSA 2023), setting out when providers of chatbot services must assess and reduce the risk of harm to users, especially children. The guidance explains which types of online services are in scope, where chatbots fall under the Act, how AI-generated content is treated, and Ofcom’s role as the UK’s regulator for online safety.

Ofcom has updated the launch date of the One Touch Switch process to 12 September 2024 following its announcement that the target date of 14 March 2024 was unachievable. Ofcom has received written assurances from BT, Sky, TalkTalk and VMO2 that the new September launch date is achievable and Ofcom has announced it will use all necessary resources and oversight to ensure this deadline is met.

Ofcom has extended the deadline for response to its call for input on principles for media literacy by design. Interested parties now have until 5pm 15 January 2024 to respond.

Ofcom has published a letter which it sent to communication providers in scope of the One Touch Switch (OTS) rules, stating that it considers it appropriate to retain the existing Notification of Transfer (NoT+) functionality for a limited period beyond 12 September 2024 in light of progress of the OTS industry trials. Despite a large number of customers being successfully switched to using OTS, the current levels do not indicate that all customer switches will be able to follow the OTS process by the planned 12 September 2024 launch date. Ofcom is therefore asking Openreach, KCOM and wholesalers who operate NoT+ not to remove the existing functionality for a period of six weeks, to ensure that NoT+ can be used as a back-up option. Ofcom has stressed, however, that OTS should be used in the first instance for all switches, with NoT+ only used where it is not technically possible to proceed with the switch through OTS.

Ofcom has confirmed its decision to make the Wireless Telegraphy (Licence Charges) (Amendment) Regulations 2024, which will come into force on 13 January 2025. The regulations introduce new fees for Shared Access licences in the 26 GHz and 40 GHz bands, establish new licence products for Enhanced Long-Range Navigation (eLoran) systems and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operators, and remove the High Duty Cycle Network Relay Points licence. These changes implement Ofcom's previously consulted policy decisions and aim to reflect evolving spectrum management objectives.

Ofcom has published its final guidance explaining how it will exercise its information gathering powers under the Online Safety Act 2023. The guidance outlines Ofcom's approach to using statutory notices, remote viewing capabilities, skilled person reports, interviews and premises inspections. Key updates include enhanced protections around disclosure to overseas regulators, detailed procedures for technical testing and demonstrations, and refined processes for Coroner Information Notices. The guidance emphasises Ofcom's commitment to proportionate use of these powers while maintaining appropriate safeguards for confidentiality and data protection. The regulator has aligned this guidance with its recently published General Policy on Information Gathering to ensure consistency across its regulatory functions.

Ofcom has published its final Statement of Principles and Methods for designating television selection services under the Media Act 2024 on 23 April 2025. The statement, unchanged from the December 2024 consultation version, will guide Ofcom's recommendations to the Secretary of State on which connected TV platforms should ensure prominence and availability of public service broadcasters' content. The regulator received responses from major stakeholders including the British Broadcasting Corporation, ITV, and Sky, and plans to consult on its first designation recommendations in summer 2025. The new regime requires designated platforms to make public service broadcaster content easily accessible and prominent.

Ofcom has imposed three fines totalling £520,000 on 4chan for breaches of the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023). 4chan was fined £450,000 for failing to implement age assurance measures to prevent children from accessing pornographic content, £50,000 for not assessing the risk of illegal material appearing on its platform and £20,000 for not specifying in its terms of service how it protects users from illegal content. The company is now required to: (1) implement effective age assurance measures by 2 April 2026 or face daily penalties of £500; (2) carry out suitable and sufficient illegal content risk assessments by the same date or incur daily penalties of £200 and (3) update its terms of service or face daily penalties of £100. The enforcement action forms part of Ofcom's broader implementation of online safety requirements, having issued 16 fines against six companies totalling nearly £4 million.

Ofcom has imposed a £1.35m fine on 8579 LLC for failing to implement the age assurance measures required under the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) to prevent children from accessing pornographic content, alongside a £50,000 penalty for failing to respond to a statutory information request. The company has been directed to implement the required age verification systems immediately or face daily penalties of £1,000. A separate daily penalty of £250 will apply until the company complies with the information request or for 60 days, whichever occurs first.

Ofcom has fined AVS Group Ltd £1 million for failing to implement robust and highly effective age-assurance measures on its adult websites. The regulator also imposed a further £50,000 penalty for not responding to legally binding information requests. Ofcom found that the age-assurance systems used by AVS were not “highly effective,” as required under the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) to prevent children from readily accessing adult content. Ofcom has ordered AVS to introduce compliant age-assurance measures within 72 hours of the decision or face additional daily penalties of £1,000. The company will also incur a further £300 per day for failing to respond to Ofcom’s information request, starting tomorrow, until it complies or for up to 60 days, whichever comes first.

Ofcom has fined pornography provider First Time Videos LLC £80,000 for failing to comply with its duty under the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) to use effective age checks to determine whether users are over 18 and prevent children from readily accessing pornographic content. The penalty, which will be passed to HM Treasury, was calculated by reference to the size and turnover of the service. Ofcom has also set out its provisional view that it has reasonable grounds to believe the provider of xgroovy.com has failed to comply with age verification duties under OSA 2023. In addition, Ofcom has expanded its existing investigation into Sun Social Media Inc to include a further adult site operated by the company.

Ofcom has fined Kick Online Entertainment SA £800,000 for failing to put in place legally required age checks to protect children from accessing pornographic content, in breach of the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023), following an investigation into its compliance with OSA 2023, s 12. In accordance with OSA 2023, s 132, Ofcom has issued Kick Online with a Confirmation Decision in respect of its failure to comply with OSA 2023, ss 12 and 102(8).