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regulatory
Ofcom discovers issuing Online Safety Act fines is easier than collecting them
Ofcom has issued more than £7 million in fines to 11 service providers under the Online Safety Act, but the regulator acknowledged that most of these fines remain unpaid due to limits in its enforcement powers and the ways online platforms structure operations to avoid collection. The regulator is exploring stronger tools including holding senior managers personally liable and pursuing judgment debts, though it has already resorted to requesting court orders to restrict UK access to non-compliant services. Despite 40 formal investigations and commitments from major platforms, Ofcom's own tracking metrics show it feels underwhelmed by the legislation's impact on online safety so far.
Why it matters: UK-based organizations and platforms subject to Online Safety Act enforcement should understand that Ofcom's collection challenges may indicate enforcement action carries limited financial teeth, potentially affecting compliance incentives and the regulator's ability to pursue larger companies in the coming months.
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- First seen by Cybersecurity Tracker