Ofcom has published discussion paper on the applications of generative AI. It examines the generative AI applications and impacts generative AI has on users' lives, analysing where shifts may occur, what the opportunities and risks could be and how platforms, the media literacy sector and users could respond. The paper also discusses four routes to mitigate harmful deepfakes, namely adopting measures such as prompt filters to prevent the creation of certain types of deepfakes, attaching contextual information to synthetic media through tools including watermarks, provenance metadata and labels, making efforts to distinguish real from fake content, and setting  clear rules about the types of synthetic content that can be created and shared on online services.

Ofcom has published a discussion paper on mitigating the harms of deceptive deepfakes as part of its duty under the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) to address the sharing of illegal and harmful content, which includes certain types of deepfakes. The discussion paper found that GenAI tools had an effect on the deepfakes landscape, highlighted ways deepfakes can cause harm—demean, defraud and disinform, shared results from its recent polls on deepfakes that explored internet users', ages 8-16+, experiences with content they suspected were to be deepfakes and also highlighted four routes actors across the technology supply chain can use to mitigate deepfakes—prevention, embedding, detection and enforcement.

Ofcom's Behavioural Insight Hub has released a discussion paper which looked into user relationships with social media terms and conditions (T&Cs), particularly with Community Guidelines. Ofcom used an online randomised control trial to assess the effectiveness of various behavioural techniques in boosting users’ engagement with Community Guidelines. It also looked into the effect of this engagement on subsequent behaviour and interactions with content. The discussion paper found that only a prompt was effective at encouraging users to click to read the Community Guidelines while scrolling the feed and the interventions did not influence users to report or repost violative content. Ofcom also found that over 60% of the participants of the study exposed to a prompt were able to remember that the social media platform had rules and guidelines, among other things.

Ofcom (acting in its capacity as Online Safety regulator) has published qualitative research examining online hate and abuse experienced by women Members of Parliament. The study, released on 14 July 2025, involved surveys and interviews with 23 current and former MPs to inform Ofcom's regulatory understanding of online safety issues affecting political representatives. The research forms part of Ofcom's broader regulatory oversight of online safety matters.

Ofcom has provided an update on its international cooperation efforts to help reinforce its regulation of 22 UK-based video-sharing platforms (VSPs). Ofcom is conscious that responsibility for regulating some popular VSPs accessed by UK users lies with regulators from other European countries.

Ofcom has released the renewed broadcast licences for Channel 3 and Channel 5, which will come into force on 1 January 2025 and will be in place until 31 December 2034. This decision will secure the continued provision of high-quality public service broadcasting services for UK viewers for the next ten years.

Ofcom has renewed its co-regulatory arrangements with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for the regulation of advertising across broadcast, on-demand programme services (ODPS), and video-sharing platforms (VSPs) for another ten years, extending them until 31 October 2034. This decision followed a public consultation that included feedback from various stakeholders. The ASA will continue to administer the day-to-day regulation of these advertising platforms, with Ofcom acting as a statutory backstop regulator, ensuring that harmful content is regulated effectively across these platforms.

Ofcom has published its response to Channel 4 Corporation’s Statement of Media Content Policy, noting that despite financial challenges in 2023, Channel 4 performed well against its remit. This evaluation acknowledges Channel 4's strong news and current affairs content, initiatives for younger audiences, and growth in streaming. Ofcom emphasises the need for clearer implementation of Channel 4’s Fast Forward strategy and increased investment in commissioning and investing outside London.

Ofcom has commented on the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology's (DSIT) plans to ban social media platforms from offering services to under-16s. It highlighted the significant changes already made to online safety regulation, including age checks and stronger protections against grooming, while emphasising that the industry must go further to improve online safety. Ofcom also confirmed that it is ready to work closely with the government as detailed regulations for the proposed ban are developed.

Ofcom has published its response to the consultation on revenue sharing rules in the National Telephone Numbering Plan (the Numbering Plan), as part of its Future of Numbering Review. In its response, Ofcom clarified that it is prohibited to share revenue, directly or indirectly, with either the called party or calling party on 01, 02, 03, 055, 056, 070 or 076 numbers and revenue sharing with the calling party is not permitted for 084 and 087 numbers. Ofcom has also decided to remove the 082 internet for schools number range, as it is now obsolete.

The Office of Communications (Ofcom) has accepted public commitments from X to enhance its handling of illegal terrorist and hate content. Under these commitments, X will review suspected illegal content originating from UK users within an average of 24 hours, ensuring that 85% of cases are addressed within a maximum of 48 hours. Additionally, X will submit quarterly performance data to Ofcom over a 12-month period and will restrict UK access to accounts operated by proscribed organisations. These commitments come on the heels of Ofcom’s December 2025 compliance programme, which assessed social media companies' systems for managing illegal content, and amid the ongoing Grok investigation into X’s compliance with its statutory duties.

Ofcom has opened a consultation on proposals for certain aspects of the fees regime under the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023), which must be in place before Ofcom can begin charging fees from providers of regulated services. The consultation seeks comments on the proposed definition of ‘qualifying worldwide revenue’ (QWR) for determining provider fees and the maximum penalties that can be imposed for breaches of the OSA 2023, the QWR threshold for paying fees, proposed exemptions, and the fee notification requirements, as well as the Statement of Charging Principles. Responses can be submitted until 9 January 2025.