Online Safety Act 2023

The Online Safety Act 2023 represents the most significant reform of UK internet regulation in decades. It imposes duties of care on online platforms and creates new criminal offences for harmful online communications.

Part 10 — Communications Offences

False communications (s.179): Sending a message conveying information known to be false, with intent to cause non-trivial psychological or physical harm. Summary — up to 6 months.

Threatening communications (s.181): Sending a message conveying a threat of death or serious harm. Either-way — up to 5 years.

Epilepsy trolling (s.183): Sending flashing images with intent to harm a person with epilepsy. Either-way — up to 5 years.

Encouraging self-harm (s.184): Encouraging or assisting serious self-harm. Either-way — up to 5 years.

Platform Duties

Part 3 imposes duties of care on user-to-user services and search services regarding illegal content, children's safety, and content reporting. These are regulated and enforced by OFCOM.