WHY IS THE INTERNET ABOUT TO CHANGE FOREVER IN THE UK?

The UK’s Online Safety Act officially comes into force on July 25, marking a major shift in how online platforms operate within the country. This new law is designed to make the internet a safer place, especially for children and vulnerable users. The act introduces strict rules for websites and apps to monitor, control, and remove harmful content. Major tech platforms, including social media networks, video-sharing sites, and adult content platforms, are now legally responsible for what is posted on their services.

One of the biggest features of the Online Safety Act is the requirement for age verification on pornography sites. Platforms that host adult content must now implement strong systems to verify users’ ages and prevent minors from accessing explicit material. Simple “I am over 18” buttons will no longer be accepted. This change is seen as a critical move to protect children from exposure to inappropriate content online.

Another key part of the act focuses on removing illegal and harmful content quickly. This includes material promoting terrorism, child sexual abuse, cyberbullying, and suicide or self-harm. Platforms are expected to have clear systems in place to detect such content and remove it without delay. Failure to do so could lead to serious penalties, including multi-million-pound fines or even criminal liability for company executives.

The Office of Communications (Ofcom) is the body responsible for enforcing the law. Ofcom now has the authority to audit and investigate tech companies, issue fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue-whichever is higher-and even take legal action against those who fail to comply. This gives the regulator considerable power to ensure that platforms follow the rules strictly and promptly.

To comply with the law, companies will also be required to provide transparent reporting. They must explain how harmful content is monitored, how many harmful posts were removed, and how user complaints are handled. This transparency is aimed at rebuilding public trust in digital platforms and ensuring they act responsibly.

Supporters of the law say it strikes a balance between free speech and online protection. It doesn’t require pre-approval of posts or real-time censorship but does expect platforms to be proactive in identifying patterns of abuse and putting proper safety measures in place. Critics, however, have warned about possible overreach and the potential for user privacy to be compromised in the name of safety.

The Online Safety Act also includes measures to empower parents and users. Parental controls, content filters, and user-friendly safety tools are expected to become more widely available. Platforms must ensure users are aware of these tools and how to use them to tailor their online experience, especially for children and teenagers.

As this law takes effect, the UK becomes one of the first countries in the world to implement such comprehensive online safety regulations. It sets a precedent for how other nations may approach digital content governance in the future. Whether the act will lead to a safer internet or raise new challenges will unfold in the coming months.