Ofcom has been criticised for a 'lack of ambition' in its approach to enforcing the Online Safety Act, with a charity warning that tech giants could scale back safety measures and still be deemed compliant. Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, told Sky News that the watchdog's 'checklist' style of governance allows major platforms like Meta and TikTok to reduce their current safety efforts while meeting regulatory requirements.
Burrows highlighted 'systemic weaknesses' in the original Act, noting that compliance with Ofcom's codes of practice is taken as sufficient, even if platforms reduce existing protections. 'What we're seeing from Ofcom is a distinct lack of ambition,' he said, urging the Government to introduce a new Act to strengthen the regime.
The Molly Rose Foundation, set up by the family of 14-year-old Molly Russell who died after viewing harmful content online, has raised concerns with the Prime Minister. Burrows warned that the UK is 'regressing' on child online safety, pointing to Meta's recent moves to scale back fact-checking and content moderation in the US as evidence of big tech retreating from safety commitments.
Under the Online Safety Act, tech companies must comply with Ofcom's codes on illegal content and child protection, with fines of up to 10% of global turnover for non-compliance. However, Burrows argued that the current framework allows firms to 'scale back' and still pass muster, contrary to Parliament's intentions.
He called on Sir Keir Starmer and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle to resist 'geopolitical pressures from the US' pushing for lighter regulation, citing polling that shows 85% of parents want a new Act. 'If the Government has the ambition and bravery to fix this Act... parents will cheer the Prime Minister on,' he said.
