A new report has assessed the preparedness of the UK government and Ofcom in implementing the Online Safety Bill and ensuring online safety for citizens. The report, published by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), examines the progress made in establishing the regulatory framework and preparing for its implementation.
The report highlights the increasing importance of online safety as more people live their lives online. It reveals that a significant percentage of internet users in the UK, both adults and children, have experienced potential online harms, ranging from child sexual abuse material to online fraud. In response to these challenges, the government introduced the Online Safety Bill in March 2022, aiming to make the UK the safest place in the world to go online.
The report focuses on the preparations made by DSIT and Ofcom, as responsibility for delivering the Online Safety Bill transitioned from DCMS to DSIT. Evaluating their progress against the principles of effective regulation, the report examines the establishment of the regulatory framework, readiness for implementation, and efforts to enable informed regulation.
According to the report, Ofcom has made significant strides in its preparations, including compiling an evidence base, establishing the necessary capacity, capabilities, and organizational design, and engaging with stakeholders. However, challenges remain. Ofcom estimates that the cumulative costs of preparing and implementing the regulatory regime could reach £169 million by the end of 2024-25, with £56 million already incurred by the end of 2022-23.
To ensure value for money, Ofcom needs to address several risks. This includes adapting to amendments made to the Online Safety Bill and securing the necessary funding and staff to regulate a large number of previously unregulated services. Ofcom must also establish a self-financing regime by introducing fees, gather quality data for monitoring compliance, and manage public expectations regarding the regime’s early impact.
The report concludes that while Ofcom has made a good start, it faces significant challenges in implementing the regulatory regime effectively. The government and Ofcom will need to work together to address these challenges and prioritize the safety of UK citizens in the online space.