Ofcom has published a two-part framework underpinning its Technology Notice powers under the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) in relation to terrorism and child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) content. The framework comprises: (1) advice to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology on policy proposals for minimum standards of accuracy for technologies used to detect terrorism and CSEA content and (2) guidance for providers of regulated user-to-user and search services on how Ofcom proposes to exercise its Technology Notice powers under OSA 2023, s 121. Technology Notices enable Ofcom to require providers, where necessary and proportionate, to use or develop specific accredited technologies to address terrorism and CSEA content. Following receipt of Ofcom’s advice, the Secretary of State is expected to approve and publish the minimum standards of accuracy for accredited technologies, after which Ofcom will establish an accreditation process for technologies meeting those standards.

Ofcom has published its guidance on the fees regime under the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023), setting out how regulated online service providers must contribute to the cost of online safety regulation through annual fees. This forms part of Ofcom’s implementation of OSA 2023, which requires that its regulatory costs be recovered from certain providers of regulated services.

Ofcom has published guidance explaining how the Online Safety Act applies to online video game services. The guidance clarifies that gaming platforms enabling user-generated content or interactions must assess risks from 17 types of illegal content and 12 categories of content harmful to children, then implement protective measures. The Act applies to services with UK links regardless of where the business is based, covering features like matchmaking, chat functions and livestreaming where users can interact or share content.

Ofcom has published guidance for user-to-user services and search services on implementing highly effective age assurance and completing children's access assessments under the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023). Services within the scope of the OSA 2023 have until 16 April 2025 to carry out a children's access assessment in order to establish whether their service is likely to be accessed by children. Where a service is likely to be accessed by children, it will be required to conduct a children's risk assessment. It is anticipated that the deadline for this will be July 2025, following Ofcom's publication of the Protection of Children Codes in April 2025. Under the new guidance, platforms that publish their own pornographic content must start to introduce age checks immediately and all services which allow pornography must have highly effective age assurance processes in place by July 2025. Ofcom has also opened an enforcement programme to monitor and assess compliance with the requirements to implement highly effective age assurance on services which allow pornographic content.

Ofcom has published guidance on the renewal process of Local Television licenses, ahead of the 25 November 2025 expiry of local multiplex (Multiplex L) and all 34 local TV services’ (L-DTPS) licenses. Ofcom’s statement covers the renewal process of these licenses for a further nine-year period from 26 November 2025–31 December 2034 if the Local Digital Television Programme Services (Amendment) Order 2024 is approved by Parliament. The guidance also covers how Ofcom will assess renewal applications.

Ofcom has published the initial findings of its review of local media in the UK. Ofcom aims to provide a view of the availability of local media, particularly local news, across the country and to provide insights into how people are using it. Ofcom includes findings from its new qualitative consumer research into local media in the UK and the core elements from its discussions with stakeholders. The report also provides more information about the work Ofcom will do in the second phase of the review, ahead of its final report in November 2024.

Ofcom has published its strategic approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI) for 2024–2025. While Ofcom recognises that AI has been used in sectors it regulates for years, AI's adoption and capabilities are growing rapidly. Ofcom's update sets out its approach to AI to ensure that the benefits of the technology are harnessed and the risks are managed. Ofcom's approach includes regulating services that use AI technologies, cooperating with domestic and international organisations on AI issues and continuing to identify potential risks that AI poses.

Ofcom has published its latest study examining how individuals across the United Kingdom access, utilise and perceive online platforms and media services. The investigation, which builds on two decades of ongoing research into media use and attitudes, documents a notable increase in the use of artificial intelligence tools among both adults and young people. Approximately one in three adults now report using AI for tasks such as drafting documents and conducting searches, while usage among eight to 17-year-olds has risen markedly, particularly for academic and learning purposes. Despite the growth in adoption, levels of trust in AI are not any higher than they were in 2023.

Ofcom has published an open letter to online service providers operating in the UK on how the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) will apply to Generative AI and chatbots. The letter confirms that sites or apps which use a Generative AI chatbot that enables users to share text, images or videos generated by the chatbot with other users, as well as sites or apps which allows users to upload or create their own Generative AI chatbots which are also made available to other users are ‘user-to-user services’, and as such fall within the scope of the OSA 2023. It clarifies that any AI-generated text, audio, images or videos that are shared by users on a user-to-user service is considered ‘user-generated content’ and would be regulated in exactly the same way as human-generated content. In addition, Generative AI tools that enable the search of more than one website or database come within the scope of the OSA 2023 as these are ‘search services’, while sites and apps that include Generative AI tools that can generate pornographic material are also regulated under the OSA 2023. In the letter, Ofcom also reminds online service providers of their responsibilities, including the requirements to undertake risk assessments of the likelihood of users encountering harmful content, implement proportionate measures to mitigate and manage those risks, and enable users to easily report illegal posts and material that is harmful to children.

Ofcom has published its Media Literacy Delivery Plan outlining work under its Making Sense of Media programme for the next 15 months. The plan details how Ofcom will support communities in developing media literacy skills and work with online and broadcast platforms to promote media literacy through their design and decisions. Ofcom commits to integrating media literacy into mainstream delivery by other organisations including football clubs, local authorities, and corporate entities developing critical engagement skills programmes for employees and communities.

Ofcom has published an independent mid-term evaluation of its Media Literacy Strategy, covering progress between October 2024–February 2026. The evaluation finds that delivery is broadly on track and that stakeholder views of Ofcom’s approach are largely positive. It records strong performance in evidence-building through research and evaluation, as well as in convening stakeholders across the sector. The evaluation also identifies Ofcom’s independent regulatory status as supporting its role as a coordinator and convenor, while noting that its relationships with regulated services are subject to legal constraints. The report makes recommendations for the remainder of the strategy period to improve delivery, address identified gaps and strengthen outcomes.

Ofcom has published its Mobile Matters report, analysing UK mobile data services between October 2023–March 2024. The study examines cellular technology adoption across 2G to 5G networks, connection reliability, file transfer speeds, and response times. The report provides a comparative analysis of mobile network operators and geographic locations, providing valuable insights into the current state of UK mobile infrastructure and service delivery.