Ofcom has published an update on its monitoring of X’s response to illegal hate and terrorist content and its investigation into sexual deepfakes generated and shared through the Grok chatbot account on X. X’s first quarterly report suggests that it is reviewing reports of suspected illegal hate and terrorist content more quickly and within the agreed response times. However, Ofcom remains concerned about the effectiveness of content removal. Following Ofcom’s intervention, X has restricted content labelled as pornography to accounts that have completed its designated age assurance checks. Ofcom will therefore focus the remainder of its investigation on X’s compliance with its illegal content and complaints and reporting duties under the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023), while continuing to monitor the effectiveness of its age checks.

Ofcom has published an update paper on the connected TV platform market, following an examination of these platforms as digital content gateways. The Media Act 2024 has introduced new rules for public service broadcaster availability and prominence on connected TV platforms and as a result, Ofcom has decided not to consider applying access-related conditions to the market at present, instead prioritising the implementation of Media Act rules. The update paper also identifies features that could potentially hinder competition in the connected TV platform market.

Ofcom has published updated guidance for Television Licensable Content Service (TLCS) licences, clarifying post-Brexit jurisdiction requirements. The guidance confirms that any TV channel appearing on a regulated UK Electronic Programme Guide requires UK licensing, except for services from European Convention on Transfrontier Television countries. The document outlines application procedures, compliance requirements and fees (£2,500 application fee), while explaining distinctions between editorial, teleshopping and self-promotional services. New European production quotas requiring 50% of transmission hours from European sources are also detailed.

Ofcom has published a statement for amendments to the Ofcom TV access services code (the Code), following large-scale qualitative research, extensive engagement with user groups, industry and accessibility experts, and a public consultation. This Code sets out the statutory requirements, and the accompanying best practice guidelines which provide recommendations on ensuring the quality and usability of access services.

Ofcom has published a report summarising how it has regulated video-sharing platforms (VSPs) thus far. The report also outlines Ofcom’s priorities for the rest of the time that the VSP regime is in force—before it is replaced by the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023). Ofcom’s powers under the OSA 2023 will supersede the VSP regulatory regime, once the VSP laws are repealed by the UK government. All services regulated under the VSP regime are expected to also be in scope of the online safety regime.

Ofcom has published updated guidance on its information gathering powers under the Online Safety Act 2023, effective 15 December 2025. The guidance covers Ofcom's statutory powers to issue information notices, require skilled person reports, conduct interviews, and exercise audit, entry and inspection powers in relation to regulated online services. Key provisions include Remote Viewing Information Notices enabling real-time viewing of algorithmic operations, Data Preservation Notices requiring retention of information relating to deceased children's service use, and Coroner Information Notices for responding to coroner requests during child death investigations. The guidance sets out typical processes for each power, including draft notice procedures, service requirements, and compliance obligations. Non-compliance may result in enforcement action including financial penalties up to 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue or £18m, whichever is greater, and criminal liability for individuals and entities. The December 2025 update reflects recent amendments to the Online Safety Act 2023 regarding Data Preservation Notices. While non-binding, the guidance indicates Ofcom's general approach to exercising these powers proportionately and explains consequences for regulated services, ancillary service providers, and other stakeholders subject to these information gathering requirements.

Ofcom has published updated Network and Service Resilience Guidance for Communications Providers, superseding its 2022 resilience guidance. Produced under sections 105Y and 1(3) of the Communications Act 2003 (CA 2003), the guidance sets out measures expected of all providers of Public Electronic Communications Networks and Public Electronic Communications Services, regardless of size or turnover. Taking an outcome-based principles approach, the guidance covers network architecture, design and operational models across key infrastructure domains. It addresses risks ranging from extreme weather and power outages to software failures and cyber vulnerabilities. A key focus has been the interdependency between telecoms and the energy sector, particularly power resilience in mobile radio access networks. The guidance clarifies expectations for mobile network operators' backup power arrangements and specifies that core network sites must be capable of surviving power loss for a minimum of five days. Approximately four hours of power backup is identified as good practice for active fixed access equipment in street cabinets at the point of installation.

Ofcom has released a document setting out its vision for the mobile, Wi-fi and incumbent users hybrid sharing of the upper 6 GHz band. This follows the consultation it launched in July 2023, and whose results it published in October 2023. In the document, Ofcom states that its aim is to get the greatest benefit from the future use of the band, regardless of how it is used, including preserving as many as possible of the benefits already provided by existing uses of the band. It describes a set of factors that could help assess which implementations are most promising, including greatest overall consumer benefits, commercial attractiveness, and coexistence with current users. Ofcom will publish a document in 2025 setting out further details on how it intends to make the band available in the UK.

Ofcom has published the Broadcast and On Demand Bulletin 479. The Broadcast and On Demand Bulletin reports on the outcome of investigations into potential breaches of Ofcom’s codes and rules for TV, radio and video-on-demand programmes, as well as licence conditions with which broadcasters regulated by Ofcom are required to comply.

Ofcom has published the seventh review of the Media Ownership Rules, in which it reiterates its 2021 recommendations without proposing new recommendations. Ofcom continues to advocate for broadening the scope of the Media Public Interest Test to encompass online news creators, a move currently under government consultation. Additionally, Ofcom restates its call to repeal specific categories of Disqualified Persons Restrictions, including those affecting religious bodies, advertising agencies, and publicly funded entities. These recommendations aim to modernise the regulatory framework in response to ongoing market changes while maintaining plurality and protecting the public interest in media ownership.

Ofcom has published a draft report to the Secretary of State, setting out its proposed recommendations on the designation of radio selection services (RSS) under the Media Act 2024 (MA 2024). It explained that MA 2024 requires designated RSS to ensure users can access online streams of UK broadcast radio services via voice commands, and that the Secretary of State must rely on Ofcom’s assessment before making designations. Ofcom assessed services using evidence on user numbers, patterns of use and significance, relying primarily on its own consumer research, which showed that Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Siri account for around 95% of RSS use for internet radio in the UK.

Ofcom has announced changes to its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) rules, reducing the timeframe for telecoms customers to escalate unresolved complaints from eight weeks to six weeks, effective 8 April 2026. The decision follows a review launched in November 2023 and subsequent consultation. Data from January 2022 to 2024 showed 94% of complaints were resolved within six weeks. Ofcom has also re-approved both Communications Ombudsman and the Communications and Internet Services Adjudication Scheme (CISAS) as ADR schemes for the telecoms sector, confirming they meet statutory assessment criteria under the Communications Act 2003.