Online Safety

Ofcom’s Age Assurance Report: the job isn’t done, but the data shows checks are working

Today, Ofcom published its Use of Age Assurance Report 2026 – its first statutory assessment of how regulated services have used age assurance under the Online Safety Act, and how effective it has actually been. The report draws on research, Information Notices and Ofcom’s Call for Evidence, and focuses on the first six months since […]

3 min read

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July 16, 2026

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The latest safety tech news, research & regulatory updates

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Regulation

Ofcom releases official guidance on highly effective age assurance for pornography providers

On 16th January 2025, Ofcom released guidance on age assurance criteria for adult content providers under the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA). Pornography websites, starting with sites that publish their own content, must now show how they are protecting children from adult material online. Other platforms, including content aggregators and user-generated platforms, have until July […]

6 min read

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January 21, 2025

Regulation

Online safety regulation at a crossroads: Reflections on 2024 and expectations for 2025

2024 marked a watershed moment for online safety as governments worldwide transitioned from policy discussions to implementation. The rollout of key legislation such as the UK’s Online Safety Act and the enforcement of the EU’s Digital Services Act signaled a global shift toward accountability. Australia has made global headlines by passing legislation to ban social […]

3 min read

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December 17, 2024

Online safety

Online Safety Act implementation officially begins: A milestone for safer online spaces

Today marks a pivotal moment in the journey toward a safer internet as Ofcom publishes its Illegal Harms statement, officially initiating the implementation of the Online Safety Act (OSA). This announcement represents the first step in a comprehensive rollout designed to protect users—particularly children—from harmful and illegal content online. As an online safeguarding and safety tech […]

4 min read

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December 17, 2024

Online safety

Update: Australia passes social media ban for kids under 16

Australia has made global headlines by passing legislation to ban social media access for children under 16, marking the strongest regulatory move of its kind to date. This landmark law, which gives platforms one year to comply, could set a powerful precedent for other countries aiming to safeguard children online. The legislation requires platforms like […]

3 min read

•

December 17, 2024

Online safety

What the new U.S. government means for online safety

As the U.S. welcomes a new government, questions arise about its priorities for technology policy and online safety. With increasing bipartisan concern over harmful content, data privacy, and the protection of minors online, the coming years could mark a turning point for online safety in the U.S. The new administration and Congress have a unique […]

3 min read

•

December 10, 2024

Online safety

Why age assurance technology is key to safety by design and age-appropriate experiences

The Draft Statement of Strategic Priorities for Online Safety, published on 20 November, outlines the UK Government’s overarching objectives for ensuring safer online environments. Central to achieving this is the use of age assurance technology to ensure platforms provide age-appropriate and secure digital experiences while respecting user privacy and promoting accessibility. Let’s explore the Government’s […]

4 min read

•

December 10, 2024

Digital safeguarding

Non-consensual intimate image sharing and the need for robust safeguarding solutions

What is non-consensual intimate image abuse? Non-consensual intimate image (NCII) abuse sharing, also known as “image-based sexual abuse”, is the unauthorised sharing, distribution, or publishing of explicit images or videos of a person without their permission. It is not only a severe violation of personal privacy but also a form of harassment that can lead […]

4 min read

•

November 8, 2024

Regulation

Australia plans social media ban for kids under 16

In a bold move to safeguard children online, Australia has announced plans to ban social media access for those under 16 Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok will be required to prevent children from creating or accessing accounts, even if they have parental consent or already have active profiles. The law, expected […]

3 min read

•

November 8, 2024

Online Safety Act

Ofcom’s approach to implementing the Online Safety Act: A timeline

Since October 2023: What we know so far The Online Safety Act (OSA) received Royal Assent in October 2023 and mandates social media platforms and search engines to take action against illegal and harmful content, with a particular focus on protecting children. The Act mandates a “duty of care” for online service providers, particularly those […]

3 min read

•

October 23, 2024

Age verification

French regulator, Arcom, announces that porn sites with French users must implement age checks by 11th Jan ‘25

On Friday, French regulator Arcom announced that pornographic websites with French users will be required to implement age verification systems by January 11th, 2025. This requirement also extends to other user-to-user platforms that allow access to adult content, as outlined in the newly released technical reference guide for verification. Arcom was tasked with creating a […]

3 min read

•

October 23, 2024

Online safety

US and UK announce joint online safety partnership

The UK and US governments have announced a new partnership between the two countries aimed at enhancing online child safety. This joint initiative will create a working group to share expertise and examine the effects of social media on children, with the goal of developing evidence-based policies. UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said the agreement […]

2 min read

•

October 11, 2024

Online harms

World Romance Scam Prevention day: Protecting hearts in the digital age

Every year, millions of people around the world fall victim to romance scams, a growing and heartbreaking form of fraud that preys on human vulnerability and trust. These scams not only shatter hearts, but also rob victims of their life savings and peace of mind. That’s why initiatives like World Romance Scam Prevention Day, which […]

3 min read

•

September 30, 2024

Regulation

House advances updated KOSA 2.0: Renewed focus on child safety and free speech concerns

Last week, The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce advanced a highly debated version of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), now referred to as “KOSA 2.0.” This bill, initially passed in the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support, seeks to protect children online but has faced criticism over its potential free speech implications and […]

4 min read

•

September 27, 2024

Online safety

Online Safety Act implementation officially begins: A milestone for safer online spaces

Today marks a pivotal moment in the journey toward a safer internet as Ofcom publishes its Illegal Harms statement, officially initiating the implementation of the Online Safety Act (OSA). This announcement represents the first step in a comprehensive rollout designed to protect users—particularly children—from harmful and illegal content online. As an online safeguarding and safety tech […]

4 min read

•

December 17, 2024

Online safety

Update: Australia passes social media ban for kids under 16

Australia has made global headlines by passing legislation to ban social media access for children under 16, marking the strongest regulatory move of its kind to date. This landmark law, which gives platforms one year to comply, could set a powerful precedent for other countries aiming to safeguard children online. The legislation requires platforms like […]

3 min read

•

December 17, 2024

Online safety

What the new U.S. government means for online safety

As the U.S. welcomes a new government, questions arise about its priorities for technology policy and online safety. With increasing bipartisan concern over harmful content, data privacy, and the protection of minors online, the coming years could mark a turning point for online safety in the U.S. The new administration and Congress have a unique […]

3 min read

•

December 10, 2024

Online safety

Why age assurance technology is key to safety by design and age-appropriate experiences

The Draft Statement of Strategic Priorities for Online Safety, published on 20 November, outlines the UK Government’s overarching objectives for ensuring safer online environments. Central to achieving this is the use of age assurance technology to ensure platforms provide age-appropriate and secure digital experiences while respecting user privacy and promoting accessibility. Let’s explore the Government’s […]

4 min read

•

December 10, 2024

Digital safeguarding

Non-consensual intimate image sharing and the need for robust safeguarding solutions

What is non-consensual intimate image abuse? Non-consensual intimate image (NCII) abuse sharing, also known as “image-based sexual abuse”, is the unauthorised sharing, distribution, or publishing of explicit images or videos of a person without their permission. It is not only a severe violation of personal privacy but also a form of harassment that can lead […]

4 min read

•

November 8, 2024

Regulation

Australia plans social media ban for kids under 16

In a bold move to safeguard children online, Australia has announced plans to ban social media access for those under 16 Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok will be required to prevent children from creating or accessing accounts, even if they have parental consent or already have active profiles. The law, expected […]

3 min read

•

November 8, 2024

Online Safety Act

Ofcom’s approach to implementing the Online Safety Act: A timeline

Since October 2023: What we know so far The Online Safety Act (OSA) received Royal Assent in October 2023 and mandates social media platforms and search engines to take action against illegal and harmful content, with a particular focus on protecting children. The Act mandates a “duty of care” for online service providers, particularly those […]

3 min read

•

October 23, 2024

Age verification

French regulator, Arcom, announces that porn sites with French users must implement age checks by 11th Jan ‘25

On Friday, French regulator Arcom announced that pornographic websites with French users will be required to implement age verification systems by January 11th, 2025. This requirement also extends to other user-to-user platforms that allow access to adult content, as outlined in the newly released technical reference guide for verification. Arcom was tasked with creating a […]

3 min read

•

October 23, 2024

Online safety

US and UK announce joint online safety partnership

The UK and US governments have announced a new partnership between the two countries aimed at enhancing online child safety. This joint initiative will create a working group to share expertise and examine the effects of social media on children, with the goal of developing evidence-based policies. UK Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said the agreement […]

2 min read

•

October 11, 2024

Online harms

World Romance Scam Prevention day: Protecting hearts in the digital age

Every year, millions of people around the world fall victim to romance scams, a growing and heartbreaking form of fraud that preys on human vulnerability and trust. These scams not only shatter hearts, but also rob victims of their life savings and peace of mind. That’s why initiatives like World Romance Scam Prevention Day, which […]

3 min read

•

September 30, 2024

Regulation

House advances updated KOSA 2.0: Renewed focus on child safety and free speech concerns

Last week, The U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce advanced a highly debated version of the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA), now referred to as “KOSA 2.0.” This bill, initially passed in the Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support, seeks to protect children online but has faced criticism over its potential free speech implications and […]

4 min read

•

September 27, 2024

Age verification

Bridging the gap: How Spain’s AEPD are navigating age assurance in the digital age

Regulators often struggle to keep pace with innovation and technological change. This is not due to ignorance or incompetence but mostly because their powers are generally derived from statutes which are infrequently, if ever, updated. In the field of age assurance, there are not even many laws in place to empower regulators to take any […]

3 min read

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September 5, 2024

Age verification

Proportionality in age assurance: How to maintain compliance while balancing safeguarding and user experience

For many online sites, platforms or businesses that sell or host age-restricted products and content, accurately determining the age of their users online is critical. Age assurance technologies offer a quick and accurate solution for determining user ages, ensuring compliance with age-related regulations and minimising disruption to the user experience. Moreover, proportionality in age assurance is […]

4 min read

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August 7, 2024

Online harms

Three-quarters of UK kids have experienced online harms, say parents

Three-quarters of UK parents (74%) say their kids have experienced online harms, from illicit content to harassment, according to new research from online safety leaders, Verifymy. Over a third (38%) of these parents say their kids have seen harmful or illegal content, requiring them to re-educate their children about internet safety. Parents and social media In […]

3 min read

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August 6, 2024