UK Online Safety Act - Revision history

Mr Pollo at 21:37, 17 March 2026

2026-03-17T21:37:53Z

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	[[Category:Legislation in Europe]]		[[Category:Legislation in Europe]]
	[[Category:~~United Kingdom~~]]		[[Category:UK legislation]]

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			[[Category:United Kingdom]]

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	One of the duties of the act requires affected websites to implement their own solution for identity verification such that it is highly effective to prove one's age ([https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50#section-12-6 Section 12.6]). There is no official government-sanctioned identity verification platform. Each service provider must implement their own solution or find a third party solution to use to remain compliant. Another duty filters non-verified users from interacting with content made from an "adult user" ([https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50#section-15-10 Section 15.10]).<ref name="rossmann:1">{{Cite web\|date=August 1, 2025\|last=Rossmann \|first=Louis \|title=Tea app & UK Online Safety Act - the world is becoming a black mirror episode :(\| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNNsCuEvR5w&t=114 \|ref=rossmann:1 \|website=[[YouTube]] \|access-date=August 25, 2025 \|archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=TNNsCuEvR5w \|archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> These non-verified users will also be less visible, provided the adult user has toggled it.		One of the duties of the act requires affected websites to implement their own solution for identity verification such that it is highly effective to prove one's age ([https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50#section-12-6 Section 12.6]). There is no official government-sanctioned identity verification platform. Each service provider must implement their own solution or find a third party solution to use to remain compliant. Another duty filters non-verified users from interacting with content made from an "adult user" ([https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50#section-15-10 Section 15.10]).<ref name="rossmann:1">{{Cite web\|date=August 1, 2025\|last=Rossmann \|first=Louis \|title=Tea app & UK Online Safety Act - the world is becoming a black mirror episode :(\| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNNsCuEvR5w&t=114 \|ref=rossmann:1 \|website=[[YouTube]] \|access-date=August 25, 2025 \|archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=TNNsCuEvR5w \|archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> These non-verified users will also be less visible, provided the adult user has toggled it.

	While the press release says "the measures platforms have to put in place must confirm your age without collecting or storing personal data, unless absolutely necessary,"<ref name=":3">{{Cite news \|last=Kyle \|first=Peter \|date=2025-08-01 \|title=Keeping children safe online: changes to the Online Safety Act explained \|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/keeping-children-safe-online-changes-to-the-online-safety-act-explained \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|work=Gov.UK}}</ref> the legislation requires that companies track usage by specific people and provide data and/or remote access to Ofcom on demand ([https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50#section-100 Section 100]) <ref name=":1">{{Cite journal \|date=2025-07-25 \|title=Online Safety Act 2023 \|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50 \|journal=UK Public General Acts \|volume=2023 \|issue=50 \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124060534/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50 \|archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref>		While the press release says "the measures platforms have to put in place must confirm your age without collecting or storing personal data, unless absolutely necessary,"<ref name=":3">{{Cite news \|last=Kyle \|first=Peter \|date=2025-08-01 \|title=Keeping children safe online: changes to the Online Safety Act explained \|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/keeping-children-safe-online-changes-to-the-online-safety-act-explained \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|work=Gov.UK \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260219223922/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/keeping-children-safe-online-changes-to-the-online-safety-act-explained \|archive-date=19 Feb 2026}}</ref> the legislation requires that companies track usage by specific people and provide data and/or remote access to Ofcom on demand ([https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50#section-100 Section 100]) <ref name=":1">{{Cite journal \|date=2025-07-25 \|title=Online Safety Act 2023 \|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50 \|journal=UK Public General Acts \|volume=2023 \|issue=50 \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124060534/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50 \|archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref>
	Enforcement of this act is done by the UK's Office of Communications (Ofcom). The penalty for breaking these rules is the greater of £18 million and 10% of the person’s qualifying worldwide revenue ([https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50#schedule-13-paragraph-4 Schedule 13.4]).<ref name=":1" />		Enforcement of this act is done by the UK's Office of Communications (Ofcom). The penalty for breaking these rules is the greater of £18 million and 10% of the person’s qualifying worldwide revenue ([https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50#schedule-13-paragraph-4 Schedule 13.4]).<ref name=":1" />

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	UK Parliament considers all petitions that get more than 100,000 signatures for debate. On 28 July 2025, when the petition to repeal the act had about 400,000 signatures, the government responded with this message: "The Government has no plans to repeal the Online Safety Act, and is working closely with Ofcom to implement the Act as quickly and effectively as possible to enable UK users to benefit from its protections.", only a few days after coming into force.<ref name=":0" /> This was only after three days (25 July 2025) the "highly effective age assurance" requirement came into force.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Department for Science, Innovation and Technology \|date=2025-07-24 \|title=Collection: Online Safety Act \|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/online-safety-act \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724092803/https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/online-safety-act \|archive-date=24 Jul 2025 \|website=Gov.UK}}</ref>		UK Parliament considers all petitions that get more than 100,000 signatures for debate. On 28 July 2025, when the petition to repeal the act had about 400,000 signatures, the government responded with this message: "The Government has no plans to repeal the Online Safety Act, and is working closely with Ofcom to implement the Act as quickly and effectively as possible to enable UK users to benefit from its protections.", only a few days after coming into force.<ref name=":0" /> This was only after three days (25 July 2025) the "highly effective age assurance" requirement came into force.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Department for Science, Innovation and Technology \|date=2025-07-24 \|title=Collection: Online Safety Act \|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/online-safety-act \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724092803/https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/online-safety-act \|archive-date=24 Jul 2025 \|website=Gov.UK}}</ref>

	The technology minister Peter Kyle said on Good Morning Britain, "if you want to overturn the Online Safety Act you are on the side of predators. Not those who want to keep children safe".<ref>{{Cite news \|date=2025-07-29 \|title=Peter Kyle Says 'Nigel Farage Is on the Side of Predators' \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-MaeOLISlA \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|work=Good Morning Britain, Youtube}}</ref>		The technology minister Peter Kyle said on Good Morning Britain, "if you want to overturn the Online Safety Act you are on the side of predators. Not those who want to keep children safe".<ref>{{Cite news \|date=2025-07-29 \|title=Peter Kyle Says 'Nigel Farage Is on the Side of Predators' \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-MaeOLISlA \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|work=Good Morning Britain, Youtube \|archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=y-MaeOLISlA \|archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref>

	==See also==		==See also==

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	\|ArticleType=Legislation}}		\|ArticleType=Legislation}}

	United Kingdom's [[wikipedia:Online Safety Act 2023\|Online Safety Act 2023]] (OSA) is a set of laws that claims to protect children and adults online.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web \|date=April 24, 2025 \|title=Online Safety Act: explainer \|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer \|website=Gov.uk}}</ref> The act applies to search services and services that allow users to post content online or to interact with each other ([https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50#section-4 Section 4]).		United Kingdom's [[wikipedia:Online Safety Act 2023\|Online Safety Act 2023]] (OSA) is a set of laws that claims to protect children and adults online.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web \|date=April 24, 2025 \|title=Online Safety Act: explainer \|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer \|website=Gov.uk \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260221095654/https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer \|archive-date=21 Feb 2026}}</ref> The act applies to search services and services that allow users to post content online or to interact with each other ([https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50#section-4 Section 4]).

	One of the duties of the act requires affected websites to implement their own solution for identity verification such that it is highly effective to prove one's age ([https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50#section-12-6 Section 12.6]). There is no official government-sanctioned identity verification platform. Each service provider must implement their own solution or find a third party solution to use to remain compliant. Another duty filters non-verified users from interacting with content made from an "adult user" ([https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50#section-15-10 Section 15.10]).<ref name="rossmann:1">{{Cite web\|date=August 1, 2025\|last=Rossmann \|first=Louis \|title=Tea app & UK Online Safety Act - the world is becoming a black mirror episode :(\| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNNsCuEvR5w&t=114 \|ref=rossmann:1 \|website=[[YouTube]] \|access-date=August 25, 2025}}</ref> These non-verified users will also be less visible, provided the adult user has toggled it.		One of the duties of the act requires affected websites to implement their own solution for identity verification such that it is highly effective to prove one's age ([https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50#section-12-6 Section 12.6]). There is no official government-sanctioned identity verification platform. Each service provider must implement their own solution or find a third party solution to use to remain compliant. Another duty filters non-verified users from interacting with content made from an "adult user" ([https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50#section-15-10 Section 15.10]).<ref name="rossmann:1">{{Cite web\|date=August 1, 2025\|last=Rossmann \|first=Louis \|title=Tea app & UK Online Safety Act - the world is becoming a black mirror episode :(\| url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNNsCuEvR5w&t=114 \|ref=rossmann:1 \|website=[[YouTube]] \|access-date=August 25, 2025 \|archive-url=https://preservetube.com/watch?v=TNNsCuEvR5w \|archive-date=23 Feb 2026}}</ref> These non-verified users will also be less visible, provided the adult user has toggled it.

	While the press release says "the measures platforms have to put in place must confirm your age without collecting or storing personal data, unless absolutely necessary,"<ref name=":3">{{Cite news \|last=Kyle \|first=Peter \|date=2025-08-01 \|title=Keeping children safe online: changes to the Online Safety Act explained \|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/keeping-children-safe-online-changes-to-the-online-safety-act-explained \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|work=Gov.UK}}</ref> the legislation requires that companies track usage by specific people and provide data and/or remote access to Ofcom on demand ([https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50#section-100 Section 100]) <ref name=":1">{{Cite journal \|date=2025-07-25 \|title=Online Safety Act 2023 \|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50 \|journal=UK Public General Acts \|volume=2023 \|issue=50}}</ref>		While the press release says "the measures platforms have to put in place must confirm your age without collecting or storing personal data, unless absolutely necessary,"<ref name=":3">{{Cite news \|last=Kyle \|first=Peter \|date=2025-08-01 \|title=Keeping children safe online: changes to the Online Safety Act explained \|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/keeping-children-safe-online-changes-to-the-online-safety-act-explained \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|work=Gov.UK}}</ref> the legislation requires that companies track usage by specific people and provide data and/or remote access to Ofcom on demand ([https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50#section-100 Section 100]) <ref name=":1">{{Cite journal \|date=2025-07-25 \|title=Online Safety Act 2023 \|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50 \|journal=UK Public General Acts \|volume=2023 \|issue=50 \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260124060534/https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50 \|archive-date=24 Jan 2026}}</ref>
	Enforcement of this act is done by the UK's Office of Communications (Ofcom). The penalty for breaking these rules is the greater of £18 million and 10% of the person’s qualifying worldwide revenue ([https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50#schedule-13-paragraph-4 Schedule 13.4]).<ref name=":1" />		Enforcement of this act is done by the UK's Office of Communications (Ofcom). The penalty for breaking these rules is the greater of £18 million and 10% of the person’s qualifying worldwide revenue ([https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/50#schedule-13-paragraph-4 Schedule 13.4]).<ref name=":1" />

	==Background==		==Background==
	The Online Safety Act is a "Bill to make provision for and in connection with the regulation by Ofcom of certain internet services; for and in connection with communications offences; and for connected purposes".<ref name=":4">{{Cite web \|date=2024-08-19 \|title=Online Safety Act 2023 \|url=https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3137 \|access-date=2025-08-17 \|website=UK Parliament: Parliamentary Bills}}</ref>		The Online Safety Act is a "Bill to make provision for and in connection with the regulation by Ofcom of certain internet services; for and in connection with communications offences; and for connected purposes".<ref name=":4">{{Cite web \|date=2024-08-19 \|title=Online Safety Act 2023 \|url=https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3137 \|access-date=2025-08-17 \|website=UK Parliament: Parliamentary Bills \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260118092704/https://bills.parliament.uk/bills/3137 \|archive-date=18 Jan 2026}}</ref>

	The Online Safety Act received royal assent on 26 October 2023, following five years of work by Carnegie UK, working in concert with over 50 partners. In 2018, Carnegie UK published a series of blogs by William Perrin and Professor Lorna Woods, outlining the proposal for social media regulation.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2025-09-01 \|title=Tackling Online Harms \|url=https://carnegieuk.org/programmes/online-harms/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225063325/https://carnegieuk.org/programmes/online-harms/ \|archive-date=2024-12-25 \|access-date=2025-09-01 \|website=Carnegie UK}}</ref> The UK Government published its [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/online-harms-white-paper White Paper] on 8 April 2019, tackling online harm, with a duty of care approach at its core. Carnegie UK ended their work on the Online Safety Act in October 2023.<ref name="online-safety-and-carnegie-uk">{{Cite web \|last=Davidson \|first=Sarah \|date=26 October 2023 \|title=Online safety and Carnegie UK \|url=https://carnegieuk.org/blog/online-safety-and-carnegie-uk/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250701203854/https://carnegieuk.org/blog/online-safety-and-carnegie-uk/ \|archive-date=2025-07-01 \|access-date=2025-08-17 \|website=Carnegie UK}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web \|last=Sim \|first=Kate \|date=August 7, 2025\| title=The Online Safety Act Has Nothing to Do With Child Safety and Everything to Do With Censorship\| url=https://novaramedia.com/2025/08/07/the-online-safety-act-has-nothing-to-do-with-child-safety-and-everything-to-do-with-censorship/ \|website=Novara Media \|access-date=August 25, 2025}}</ref>		The Online Safety Act received royal assent on 26 October 2023, following five years of work by Carnegie UK, working in concert with over 50 partners. In 2018, Carnegie UK published a series of blogs by William Perrin and Professor Lorna Woods, outlining the proposal for social media regulation.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2025-09-01 \|title=Tackling Online Harms \|url=https://carnegieuk.org/programmes/online-harms/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241225063325/https://carnegieuk.org/programmes/online-harms/ \|archive-date=2024-12-25 \|access-date=2025-09-01 \|website=Carnegie UK}}</ref> The UK Government published its [https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/online-harms-white-paper White Paper] on 8 April 2019, tackling online harm, with a duty of care approach at its core. Carnegie UK ended their work on the Online Safety Act in October 2023.<ref name="online-safety-and-carnegie-uk">{{Cite web \|last=Davidson \|first=Sarah \|date=26 October 2023 \|title=Online safety and Carnegie UK \|url=https://carnegieuk.org/blog/online-safety-and-carnegie-uk/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250701203854/https://carnegieuk.org/blog/online-safety-and-carnegie-uk/ \|archive-date=2025-07-01 \|access-date=2025-08-17 \|website=Carnegie UK}}</ref><ref name=":6">{{Cite web \|last=Sim \|first=Kate \|date=August 7, 2025\| title=The Online Safety Act Has Nothing to Do With Child Safety and Everything to Do With Censorship\| url=https://novaramedia.com/2025/08/07/the-online-safety-act-has-nothing-to-do-with-child-safety-and-everything-to-do-with-censorship/ \|website=Novara Media \|access-date=August 25, 2025 \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260120092729/https://novaramedia.com/2025/08/07/the-online-safety-act-has-nothing-to-do-with-child-safety-and-everything-to-do-with-censorship/ \|archive-date=20 Jan 2026}}</ref>

	The bill was sponsored by Michelle Donelan, the (now former) Conservative MP for Chippenham and Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, a current member of the House of Lords. Both on behalf of the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.<ref name=":4" />		The bill was sponsored by Michelle Donelan, the (now former) Conservative MP for Chippenham and Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay, a current member of the House of Lords. Both on behalf of the UK Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.<ref name=":4" />
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	The Online Safety Act is one act in two different stages. The original that reached royal assent on 26 October 2023 under Rishi Sunak's Conservative government, and the amended version in 2025, under Kier Starmer's Labour government. In February 2025, amendments related to making corporations more accountable for the content on their websites, as well as accountability for people accessing inappropriate content were brought to and voted on in parliament. The bill was changed again in May 2025 to include biometric face scans and government ID requirements, which was was not voted on in parliament.		The Online Safety Act is one act in two different stages. The original that reached royal assent on 26 October 2023 under Rishi Sunak's Conservative government, and the amended version in 2025, under Kier Starmer's Labour government. In February 2025, amendments related to making corporations more accountable for the content on their websites, as well as accountability for people accessing inappropriate content were brought to and voted on in parliament. The bill was changed again in May 2025 to include biometric face scans and government ID requirements, which was was not voted on in parliament.

	[https://avpassociation.com/ Age Verification Providers Association (AVPA)] was formed in 2018 and is growing rapidly as the age and identity provider industry takes off. It represents all main technology suppliers who have invested in the development of age verification solutions to support the implementation of age restrictions online.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Age Verification Providers Association \|url=https://avpassociation.com/}}</ref>		[https://avpassociation.com/ Age Verification Providers Association (AVPA)] was formed in 2018 and is growing rapidly as the age and identity provider industry takes off. It represents all main technology suppliers who have invested in the development of age verification solutions to support the implementation of age restrictions online.<ref>{{Cite web \|title=Age Verification Providers Association \|url=https://avpassociation.com/ \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260220181305/https://avpassociation.com/ \|archive-date=20 Feb 2026}}</ref>

	==The impact==		==The impact==
	Since the UK Online Safety Act applies to search services and services that allow users to post content online or to interact with each other,<ref name=":2" /> it has a broad impact across the entire internet for those accessing websites from within the UK. All online services that Ofcom deems to be within the scope of the Online Safety Act must incorporate an identity verification process to determine each user's age.<ref name=":3" /> This has forced many websites to geo-block the UK because they are too small to justify or afford implementing their own the identity verification process or partnering with a third provider. A list of affected websites is available on [https://OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk].		Since the UK Online Safety Act applies to search services and services that allow users to post content online or to interact with each other,<ref name=":2" /> it has a broad impact across the entire internet for those accessing websites from within the UK. All online services that Ofcom deems to be within the scope of the Online Safety Act must incorporate an identity verification process to determine each user's age.<ref name=":3" /> This has forced many websites to geo-block the UK because they are too small to justify or afford implementing their own the identity verification process or partnering with a third provider. A list of affected websites is available on [https://OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk].

	The broad range of the act has caused content from breaking news,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web \|last=Koopman \|first=Saskia \|date=August 13, 2025 \|title=Why the Online Safety Act has become a political nightmare \|url=https://www.cityam.com/why-labours-online-safety-act-has-become-a-political-nightmare/ \|website=City AM \|access-date=August 25, 2025}}</ref> war footages,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Maiberg \|first=Emanuel \|date=July 29, 2025 \|title=UK Users Need to Post Selfie or Photo ID to View Reddit's r/IsraelCrimes, r/UkraineWarFootage \|url=https://www.404media.co/uk-users-need-to-post-selfie-or-photo-id-to-view-reddits-r-israelcrimes-r-ukrainewarfootage/ \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216122744/https://www.404media.co/uk-users-need-to-post-selfie-or-photo-id-to-view-reddits-r-israelcrimes-r-ukrainewarfootage/ \|archive-date=16 Feb 2026\|access-date=August 25, 2025 \|website=404 Media}}</ref> and political videos<ref name=":6" /> to be heavily suppressed and labelled "harmful".		The broad range of the act has caused content from breaking news,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web \|last=Koopman \|first=Saskia \|date=August 13, 2025 \|title=Why the Online Safety Act has become a political nightmare \|url=https://www.cityam.com/why-labours-online-safety-act-has-become-a-political-nightmare/ \|website=City AM \|access-date=August 25, 2025 \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251208042013/https://www.cityam.com/why-labours-online-safety-act-has-become-a-political-nightmare/ \|archive-date=8 Dec 2025}}</ref> war footages,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Maiberg \|first=Emanuel \|date=July 29, 2025 \|title=UK Users Need to Post Selfie or Photo ID to View Reddit's r/IsraelCrimes, r/UkraineWarFootage \|url=https://www.404media.co/uk-users-need-to-post-selfie-or-photo-id-to-view-reddits-r-israelcrimes-r-ukrainewarfootage/ \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216122744/https://www.404media.co/uk-users-need-to-post-selfie-or-photo-id-to-view-reddits-r-israelcrimes-r-ukrainewarfootage/ \|archive-date=16 Feb 2026\|access-date=August 25, 2025 \|website=404 Media}}</ref> and political videos<ref name=":6" /> to be heavily suppressed and labelled "harmful".

	===Spotify===		===Spotify===
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	==Consumer response==		==Consumer response==
	According to analysis by Cloudwards, [[Google]] searches for "how to get around age verification" and "is VPN legal in the UK" saw a massive growth of over 450 thousand and 380 thousand percent respectively.<ref name=":5" /> United Kingdom saw an increased VPN usage by 1400 percent.<ref name="UK_VPN">{{Cite web \|last=Speed \|first=Richard \|date=July 28, 2025 \|title=UK VPN demand soars after debut of Online Safety Act \|url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/07/28/uk_vpn_demand_soars/ \|access-date=August 15, 2025 \|website=The Register}}</ref> As of 16 August 2025, there has been at least 500 thousand signatures petitioning to repeal the act.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Baynham \|first=Alex \|date=2025-04-22 \|title=Repeal the Online Safety Act \|url=https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/722903 \|website=Petitions: UK Government and Parliament}}</ref>		According to analysis by Cloudwards, [[Google]] searches for "how to get around age verification" and "is VPN legal in the UK" saw a massive growth of over 450 thousand and 380 thousand percent respectively.<ref name=":5" /> United Kingdom saw an increased VPN usage by 1400 percent.<ref name="UK_VPN">{{Cite web \|last=Speed \|first=Richard \|date=July 28, 2025 \|title=UK VPN demand soars after debut of Online Safety Act \|url=https://www.theregister.com/2025/07/28/uk_vpn_demand_soars/ \|access-date=August 15, 2025 \|website=The Register \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260211054348/https://www.theregister.com/2025/07/28/uk_vpn_demand_soars/ \|archive-date=11 Feb 2026}}</ref> As of 16 August 2025, there has been at least 500 thousand signatures petitioning to repeal the act.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web \|last=Baynham \|first=Alex \|date=2025-04-22 \|title=Repeal the Online Safety Act \|url=https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/722903 \|website=Petitions: UK Government and Parliament \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260128065314/https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/722903 \|archive-date=28 Jan 2026}}</ref>

	===OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk===		===OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk===
	[https://onlinesafetyact.co.uk/in_memoriam/ OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk] is a website which was created in response to the Act's implementation and is operated by Neil Brown,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Brown \|first=Neil \|title=OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk \|url=https://onlinesafetyact.co.uk/contact/ \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|website=OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk}}</ref> a UK tech lawyer ([https://decoded.legal decoded.legal]).<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Brown \|first=Neil \|title=Neil Brown (@neil@mastodon.neilzone.co.uk) \|url=https://mastodon.neilzone.co.uk/@neil \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|website=mastodon.neilzone.co.uk}}</ref> It lists all of the websites affected by the Online Safety Act, with the help of user submissions.		[https://onlinesafetyact.co.uk/in_memoriam/ OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk] is a website which was created in response to the Act's implementation and is operated by Neil Brown,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Brown \|first=Neil \|title=OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk \|url=https://onlinesafetyact.co.uk/contact/ \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|website=OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk}} ([http://web.archive.org/web/20260210232703/https://onlinesafetyact.co.uk/ Archived])</ref> a UK tech lawyer ([https://decoded.legal decoded.legal]).<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Brown \|first=Neil \|title=Neil Brown (@neil@mastodon.neilzone.co.uk) \|url=https://mastodon.neilzone.co.uk/@neil \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|website=mastodon.neilzone.co.uk \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216062932/https://mastodon.neilzone.co.uk/@neil \|archive-date=16 Feb 2026}}</ref> It lists all of the websites affected by the Online Safety Act, with the help of user submissions.

	===Use Their ID===		===Use Their ID===

Bananabot: Re-archived 7 citation(s) from archive.today to web.archive.org using CRWCitationBot

2026-02-22T23:21:54Z

Re-archived 7 citation(s) from archive.today to web.archive.org using CRWCitationBot

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:21, 22 February 2026
Line 27:		Line 27:
	Since the UK Online Safety Act applies to search services and services that allow users to post content online or to interact with each other,<ref name=":2" /> it has a broad impact across the entire internet for those accessing websites from within the UK. All online services that Ofcom deems to be within the scope of the Online Safety Act must incorporate an identity verification process to determine each user's age.<ref name=":3" /> This has forced many websites to geo-block the UK because they are too small to justify or afford implementing their own the identity verification process or partnering with a third provider. A list of affected websites is available on [https://OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk].		Since the UK Online Safety Act applies to search services and services that allow users to post content online or to interact with each other,<ref name=":2" /> it has a broad impact across the entire internet for those accessing websites from within the UK. All online services that Ofcom deems to be within the scope of the Online Safety Act must incorporate an identity verification process to determine each user's age.<ref name=":3" /> This has forced many websites to geo-block the UK because they are too small to justify or afford implementing their own the identity verification process or partnering with a third provider. A list of affected websites is available on [https://OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk].

	The broad range of the act has caused content from breaking news,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web \|last=Koopman \|first=Saskia \|date=August 13, 2025 \|title=Why the Online Safety Act has become a political nightmare \|url=https://www.cityam.com/why-labours-online-safety-act-has-become-a-political-nightmare/ \|website=City AM \|access-date=August 25, 2025}}</ref> war footages,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Maiberg \|first=Emanuel \|date=July 29, 2025 \|title=UK Users Need to Post Selfie or Photo ID to View Reddit's r/IsraelCrimes, r/UkraineWarFootage \|url=https://www.404media.co/uk-users-need-to-post-selfie-or-photo-id-to-view-reddits-r-israelcrimes-r-ukrainewarfootage/ \|archive-url=https://~~archive~~.ph/~~Z4Etm~~ \|archive-date=~~29 Jul 2025~~ \|access-date=August 25, 2025 \|website=404 Media}}</ref> and political videos<ref name=":6" /> to be heavily suppressed and labelled "harmful".		The broad range of the act has caused content from breaking news,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web \|last=Koopman \|first=Saskia \|date=August 13, 2025 \|title=Why the Online Safety Act has become a political nightmare \|url=https://www.cityam.com/why-labours-online-safety-act-has-become-a-political-nightmare/ \|website=City AM \|access-date=August 25, 2025}}</ref> war footages,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Maiberg \|first=Emanuel \|date=July 29, 2025 \|title=UK Users Need to Post Selfie or Photo ID to View Reddit's r/IsraelCrimes, r/UkraineWarFootage \|url=https://www.404media.co/uk-users-need-to-post-selfie-or-photo-id-to-view-reddits-r-israelcrimes-r-ukrainewarfootage/ \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260216122744/https://www.404media.co/uk-users-need-to-post-selfie-or-photo-id-to-view-reddits-r-israelcrimes-r-ukrainewarfootage/ \|archive-date=16 Feb 2026\|access-date=August 25, 2025 \|website=404 Media}}</ref> and political videos<ref name=":6" /> to be heavily suppressed and labelled "harmful".

	===Spotify===		===Spotify===
	To view age-restricted content on [[Spotify]], users in the UK are now asked for facial scanning; if that fails, only ID verification can correct the error.<ref>{{Cite news \|last=Cole \|first=Samantha \|title=Spotify Is Forcing Users to Undergo Face Scanning to Access Explicit Content \|url=https://www.404media.co/spotify-uk-age-check-verification-yoti/ \|access-date=3 August 2025 \|work=404 Media \|date=30 July 2025 \|archive-url=https://archive.~~today~~/~~20250730160610~~/https://www.404media.co/spotify-uk-age-check-verification-yoti/ \|archive-date=~~30 July 2025~~ \|url-status=live}}</ref>		To view age-restricted content on [[Spotify]], users in the UK are now asked for facial scanning; if that fails, only ID verification can correct the error.<ref>{{Cite news \|last=Cole \|first=Samantha \|title=Spotify Is Forcing Users to Undergo Face Scanning to Access Explicit Content \|url=https://www.404media.co/spotify-uk-age-check-verification-yoti/ \|access-date=3 August 2025 \|work=404 Media \|date=30 July 2025 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260222232121/https://www.404media.co/spotify-uk-age-check-verification-yoti/ \|archive-date=22 Feb 2026\|url-status=live}}</ref>

	===YouTube===		===YouTube===
	{{Main\|YouTube age verification}}		{{Main\|YouTube age verification}}
	On 30 July 2025, [[YouTube]] responded by announcing its verification system, requesting users for either a government-issued ID, a photo, or credit card, in order to show that users are 18 and older. Age will be estimated through various information, including videos watched, and would lock users flagged below 18 unless they send one of aforementioned proofs.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Ingram \|first=Michael \|date=30 Jul 2025 \|title=YouTube is Rolling Out A New Controversial Feature \|url=https://gamerant.com/youtube-new-age-verification-feature-id-recognition/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://~~archive~~.ph/~~hIm29~~ \|archive-date=~~31 Jul~~ 2025 \|access-date=14 Aug 2025 \|website=GameRant}}</ref>		On 30 July 2025, [[YouTube]] responded by announcing its verification system, requesting users for either a government-issued ID, a photo, or credit card, in order to show that users are 18 and older. Age will be estimated through various information, including videos watched, and would lock users flagged below 18 unless they send one of aforementioned proofs.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Ingram \|first=Michael \|date=30 Jul 2025 \|title=YouTube is Rolling Out A New Controversial Feature \|url=https://gamerant.com/youtube-new-age-verification-feature-id-recognition/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20251204064951/https://gamerant.com/youtube-new-age-verification-feature-id-recognition/ \|archive-date=4 Dec 2025\|access-date=14 Aug 2025 \|website=GameRant}}</ref>

	===Wikipedia===		===Wikipedia===
	The Wikimedia Foundation (WMF), which owns the digital encyclopedia platform [[Wikipedia]], sued the United Kingdom to prevent them from forcing age checks on their websites. The WMF made a statement that being forced to comply with this act would compromise the privacy of its editors and the neutrality of the encyclopedia. On 11 August 2025, the London High Court denied the WMF's reasoning, but didn't necessarily force age checks for the website.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Castro \|first=Chiara \|date=August 12, 2025 \|title=Case dismissed – Wikipedia loses UK Online Safety Act legal challenge, but it may still be safe from age checks \|url=https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/case-dismissed-wikipedia-loses-uk-online-safety-act-legal-challenge-but-it-may-still-be-safe-from-age-checks \|archive-url=https://~~archive~~.ph/~~8ZynX~~ \|archive-date=~~16 Aug 2025~~}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|date=11 August 2025 \|title=Wikimedia Foundation Challenges UK Online Safety Act Regulations \|url=https://wikimediafoundation.org/news/2025/08/11/wikimedia-foundation-challenges-uk-online-safety-act-regulations/ \|archive-url=https://~~archive~~.ph/~~0hKM1~~ \|archive-date=~~11 Jan 2026~~}}</ref>		The Wikimedia Foundation (WMF), which owns the digital encyclopedia platform [[Wikipedia]], sued the United Kingdom to prevent them from forcing age checks on their websites. The WMF made a statement that being forced to comply with this act would compromise the privacy of its editors and the neutrality of the encyclopedia. On 11 August 2025, the London High Court denied the WMF's reasoning, but didn't necessarily force age checks for the website.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Castro \|first=Chiara \|date=August 12, 2025 \|title=Case dismissed – Wikipedia loses UK Online Safety Act legal challenge, but it may still be safe from age checks \|url=https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/case-dismissed-wikipedia-loses-uk-online-safety-act-legal-challenge-but-it-may-still-be-safe-from-age-checks \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260206093500/https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/case-dismissed-wikipedia-loses-uk-online-safety-act-legal-challenge-but-it-may-still-be-safe-from-age-checks \|archive-date=6 Feb 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|date=11 August 2025 \|title=Wikimedia Foundation Challenges UK Online Safety Act Regulations \|url=https://wikimediafoundation.org/news/2025/08/11/wikimedia-foundation-challenges-uk-online-safety-act-regulations/ \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250912103928/https://wikimediafoundation.org/news/2025/08/11/wikimedia-foundation-challenges-uk-online-safety-act-regulations/ \|archive-date=12 Sep 2025}}</ref>

	===4Chan===		===4Chan===
Line 52:		Line 52:
	Attorneys Preston Byrne and Ron Coleman, acting for 4chan, responded publicly to Ofcom’s provisional notice, which accuses the American company of failing to meet information notice requirements and possibly breaching duties related to content moderation.		Attorneys Preston Byrne and Ron Coleman, acting for 4chan, responded publicly to Ofcom’s provisional notice, which accuses the American company of failing to meet information notice requirements and possibly breaching duties related to content moderation.

	The attorneys described the UK’s actions as an “illegal campaign of harassment” targeting American tech firms and warned that this extraterritorial enforcement of censorship law was incompatible with the First Amendment.<ref>{{Cite news \|last=Harper \|first=Cindy \|date=2025-08-18 \|title=4chan Lawyers Fire Back as UK Tries to Censor from Across the Pond \|url=https://reclaimthenet.org/us-lawyers-defend-4chan-against-uk-online-safety-act-enforcement \|archive-url=https://~~archive~~.ph/~~z424o~~ \|archive-date=18 Aug 2025 \|access-date=2025-08-18 \|work=Reclaim the Net}}</ref>		The attorneys described the UK’s actions as an “illegal campaign of harassment” targeting American tech firms and warned that this extraterritorial enforcement of censorship law was incompatible with the First Amendment.<ref>{{Cite news \|last=Harper \|first=Cindy \|date=2025-08-18 \|title=4chan Lawyers Fire Back as UK Tries to Censor from Across the Pond \|url=https://reclaimthenet.org/us-lawyers-defend-4chan-against-uk-online-safety-act-enforcement \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250824210758/https://reclaimthenet.org/us-lawyers-defend-4chan-against-uk-online-safety-act-enforcement \|archive-date=24 Aug 2025\|access-date=2025-08-18 \|work=Reclaim the Net}}</ref>

	Since enforcement began, the UK’s media regulator Ofcom has reportedly sent formal notices to several US tech companies, instructing them to comply or face penalties. These letters have ignited backlash among American lawmakers, many of whom argue that Britain has crossed a line by trying to dictate speech rules to American businesses and citizens. House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, along with other members of Congress, has taken his concerns directly to British ministers, raising objections with Science Secretary Peter Kyle.<ref>{{Cite news \|last=Frieth \|first=Dan \|date=2025-07-31 \|title=The White House Puts UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Notice Over UK’s Dangerous Online Censorship Laws \|url=https://reclaimthenet.org/us-uk-clash-over-online-safety-act-free-speech \|archive-url=https://~~archive~~.ph/~~hqjkG~~ \|archive-date=~~31 Jul 2025~~ \|access-date=2025-08-18 \|work=Reclaim the Internet}}</ref>		Since enforcement began, the UK’s media regulator Ofcom has reportedly sent formal notices to several US tech companies, instructing them to comply or face penalties. These letters have ignited backlash among American lawmakers, many of whom argue that Britain has crossed a line by trying to dictate speech rules to American businesses and citizens. House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, along with other members of Congress, has taken his concerns directly to British ministers, raising objections with Science Secretary Peter Kyle.<ref>{{Cite news \|last=Frieth \|first=Dan \|date=2025-07-31 \|title=The White House Puts UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Notice Over UK’s Dangerous Online Censorship Laws \|url=https://reclaimthenet.org/us-uk-clash-over-online-safety-act-free-speech \|archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260211191542/https://reclaimthenet.org/us-uk-clash-over-online-safety-act-free-speech \|archive-date=11 Feb 2026\|access-date=2025-08-18 \|work=Reclaim the Internet}}</ref>

	==Data breaches including ID documents==		==Data breaches including ID documents==

Sojourna: /* YouTube */ Update intralink.

2026-02-11T04:26:30Z

YouTube: Update intralink.

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:26, 11 February 2026
Line 33:		Line 33:

	===YouTube===		===YouTube===
	{{Main\|~~Youtubes Requirement for Government ID~~}}		{{Main\|YouTube age verification}}
	On 30 July 2025, [[YouTube]] responded by announcing its verification system, requesting users for either a government-issued ID, a photo, or credit card, in order to show that users are 18 and older. Age will be estimated through various information, including videos watched, and would lock users flagged below 18 unless they send one of aforementioned proofs.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Ingram \|first=Michael \|date=30 Jul 2025 \|title=YouTube is Rolling Out A New Controversial Feature \|url=https://gamerant.com/youtube-new-age-verification-feature-id-recognition/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://archive.ph/hIm29 \|archive-date=31 Jul 2025 \|access-date=14 Aug 2025 \|website=GameRant}}</ref>		On 30 July 2025, [[YouTube]] responded by announcing its verification system, requesting users for either a government-issued ID, a photo, or credit card, in order to show that users are 18 and older. Age will be estimated through various information, including videos watched, and would lock users flagged below 18 unless they send one of aforementioned proofs.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Ingram \|first=Michael \|date=30 Jul 2025 \|title=YouTube is Rolling Out A New Controversial Feature \|url=https://gamerant.com/youtube-new-age-verification-feature-id-recognition/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://archive.ph/hIm29 \|archive-date=31 Jul 2025 \|access-date=14 Aug 2025 \|website=GameRant}}</ref>

H0l0: Deleted 2 non existent articles in "See also"

2026-02-10T19:56:54Z

Deleted 2 non existent articles in "See also"

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:56, 10 February 2026
Line 94:		Line 94:

	*[[Ofcom]]		*[[Ofcom]]
	*[[Data Protection Act 2018]]
	*[[Freedom of expression in the United Kingdom]]
	*[[General Data Protection Regulation]]		*[[General Data Protection Regulation]]

Trinity: Added archived reference links

2026-01-11T20:40:45Z

Added archived reference links

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:40, 11 January 2026
Line 27:		Line 27:
	Since the UK Online Safety Act applies to search services and services that allow users to post content online or to interact with each other,<ref name=":2" /> it has a broad impact across the entire internet for those accessing websites from within the UK. All online services that Ofcom deems to be within the scope of the Online Safety Act must incorporate an identity verification process to determine each user's age.<ref name=":3" /> This has forced many websites to geo-block the UK because they are too small to justify or afford implementing their own the identity verification process or partnering with a third provider. A list of affected websites is available on [https://OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk].		Since the UK Online Safety Act applies to search services and services that allow users to post content online or to interact with each other,<ref name=":2" /> it has a broad impact across the entire internet for those accessing websites from within the UK. All online services that Ofcom deems to be within the scope of the Online Safety Act must incorporate an identity verification process to determine each user's age.<ref name=":3" /> This has forced many websites to geo-block the UK because they are too small to justify or afford implementing their own the identity verification process or partnering with a third provider. A list of affected websites is available on [https://OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk OnlineSafetyAct.co.uk].

	The broad range of the act has caused content from breaking news,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web \|last=Koopman \|first=Saskia \|date=August 13, 2025 \|title=Why the Online Safety Act has become a political nightmare \|url=https://www.cityam.com/why-labours-online-safety-act-has-become-a-political-nightmare/ \|website=City AM \|access-date=August 25, 2025}}</ref> war footages,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Maiberg \|first=Emanuel \|date=July 29, 2025 \|title=UK Users Need to Post Selfie or Photo ID to View Reddit's r/IsraelCrimes, r/UkraineWarFootage \|url=https://www.404media.co/uk-users-need-to-post-selfie-or-photo-id-to-view-reddits-r-israelcrimes-r-ukrainewarfootage/ \|~~website~~=~~404 Media~~ \|access-date=August 25, 2025}}</ref> and political videos<ref name=":6" /> to be heavily suppressed and labelled "harmful".		The broad range of the act has caused content from breaking news,<ref name=":5">{{Cite web \|last=Koopman \|first=Saskia \|date=August 13, 2025 \|title=Why the Online Safety Act has become a political nightmare \|url=https://www.cityam.com/why-labours-online-safety-act-has-become-a-political-nightmare/ \|website=City AM \|access-date=August 25, 2025}}</ref> war footages,<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Maiberg \|first=Emanuel \|date=July 29, 2025 \|title=UK Users Need to Post Selfie or Photo ID to View Reddit's r/IsraelCrimes, r/UkraineWarFootage \|url=https://www.404media.co/uk-users-need-to-post-selfie-or-photo-id-to-view-reddits-r-israelcrimes-r-ukrainewarfootage/ \|archive-url=https://archive.ph/Z4Etm \|archive-date=29 Jul 2025 \|access-date=August 25, 2025 \|website=404 Media}}</ref> and political videos<ref name=":6" /> to be heavily suppressed and labelled "harmful".

	===Spotify===		===Spotify===
Line 34:		Line 34:
	===YouTube===		===YouTube===
	{{Main\|Youtubes Requirement for Government ID}}		{{Main\|Youtubes Requirement for Government ID}}
	On 30 July 2025, [[YouTube]] responded by announcing its verification system, requesting users for either a government-issued ID, a photo, or credit card, in order to show that users are 18 and older. Age will be estimated through various information, including videos watched, and would lock users flagged below 18 unless they send one of aforementioned proofs.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Ingram \|first=Michael \|date=30 Jul 2025 \|title=YouTube is Rolling Out A New Controversial Feature \|url=https://gamerant.com/youtube-new-age-verification-feature-id-recognition/ \|url-status=live \|access-date=14 Aug 2025 \|website=GameRant}}</ref>		On 30 July 2025, [[YouTube]] responded by announcing its verification system, requesting users for either a government-issued ID, a photo, or credit card, in order to show that users are 18 and older. Age will be estimated through various information, including videos watched, and would lock users flagged below 18 unless they send one of aforementioned proofs.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Ingram \|first=Michael \|date=30 Jul 2025 \|title=YouTube is Rolling Out A New Controversial Feature \|url=https://gamerant.com/youtube-new-age-verification-feature-id-recognition/ \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://archive.ph/hIm29 \|archive-date=31 Jul 2025 \|access-date=14 Aug 2025 \|website=GameRant}}</ref>

	===Wikipedia===		===Wikipedia===
	The Wikimedia Foundation (WMF), which owns the digital encyclopedia platform [[Wikipedia]], sued the United Kingdom to prevent them from forcing age checks on their websites. The WMF made a statement that being forced to comply with this act would compromise the privacy of its editors and the neutrality of the encyclopedia. On 11 August 2025, the London High Court denied the WMF's reasoning, but didn't necessarily force age checks for the website.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Castro \|first=Chiara \|date=August 12, 2025 \|title=Case dismissed – Wikipedia loses UK Online Safety Act legal challenge, but it may still be safe from age checks \|url=https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/case-dismissed-wikipedia-loses-uk-online-safety-act-legal-challenge-but-it-may-still-be-safe-from-age-checks}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|date=11 August 2025 \|title=Wikimedia Foundation Challenges UK Online Safety Act Regulations \|url=https://wikimediafoundation.org/news/2025/08/11/wikimedia-foundation-challenges-uk-online-safety-act-regulations/}}</ref>		The Wikimedia Foundation (WMF), which owns the digital encyclopedia platform [[Wikipedia]], sued the United Kingdom to prevent them from forcing age checks on their websites. The WMF made a statement that being forced to comply with this act would compromise the privacy of its editors and the neutrality of the encyclopedia. On 11 August 2025, the London High Court denied the WMF's reasoning, but didn't necessarily force age checks for the website.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Castro \|first=Chiara \|date=August 12, 2025 \|title=Case dismissed – Wikipedia loses UK Online Safety Act legal challenge, but it may still be safe from age checks \|url=https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/case-dismissed-wikipedia-loses-uk-online-safety-act-legal-challenge-but-it-may-still-be-safe-from-age-checks \|archive-url=https://archive.ph/8ZynX \|archive-date=16 Aug 2025}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|date=11 August 2025 \|title=Wikimedia Foundation Challenges UK Online Safety Act Regulations \|url=https://wikimediafoundation.org/news/2025/08/11/wikimedia-foundation-challenges-uk-online-safety-act-regulations/ \|archive-url=https://archive.ph/0hKM1 \|archive-date=11 Jan 2026}}</ref>

	===4Chan===		===4Chan===
Line 52:		Line 52:
	Attorneys Preston Byrne and Ron Coleman, acting for 4chan, responded publicly to Ofcom’s provisional notice, which accuses the American company of failing to meet information notice requirements and possibly breaching duties related to content moderation.		Attorneys Preston Byrne and Ron Coleman, acting for 4chan, responded publicly to Ofcom’s provisional notice, which accuses the American company of failing to meet information notice requirements and possibly breaching duties related to content moderation.

	The attorneys described the UK’s actions as an “illegal campaign of harassment” targeting American tech firms and warned that this extraterritorial enforcement of censorship law was incompatible with the First Amendment.<ref>{{Cite news \|last=Harper \|first=Cindy \|date=2025-08-18 \|title=4chan Lawyers Fire Back as UK Tries to Censor from Across the Pond \|url=https://reclaimthenet.org/us-lawyers-defend-4chan-against-uk-online-safety-act-enforcement \|access-date=2025-08-18 \|work=Reclaim the Net}}</ref>		The attorneys described the UK’s actions as an “illegal campaign of harassment” targeting American tech firms and warned that this extraterritorial enforcement of censorship law was incompatible with the First Amendment.<ref>{{Cite news \|last=Harper \|first=Cindy \|date=2025-08-18 \|title=4chan Lawyers Fire Back as UK Tries to Censor from Across the Pond \|url=https://reclaimthenet.org/us-lawyers-defend-4chan-against-uk-online-safety-act-enforcement \|archive-url=https://archive.ph/z424o \|archive-date=18 Aug 2025 \|access-date=2025-08-18 \|work=Reclaim the Net}}</ref>

	Since enforcement began, the UK’s media regulator Ofcom has reportedly sent formal notices to several US tech companies, instructing them to comply or face penalties. These letters have ignited backlash among American lawmakers, many of whom argue that Britain has crossed a line by trying to dictate speech rules to American businesses and citizens. House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, along with other members of Congress, has taken his concerns directly to British ministers, raising objections with Science Secretary Peter Kyle.<ref>{{Cite news \|last=Frieth \|first=Dan \|date=2025-07-31 \|title=The White House Puts UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Notice Over UK’s Dangerous Online Censorship Laws \|url=https://reclaimthenet.org/us-uk-clash-over-online-safety-act-free-speech \|access-date=2025-08-18 \|work=Reclaim the Internet}}</ref>		Since enforcement began, the UK’s media regulator Ofcom has reportedly sent formal notices to several US tech companies, instructing them to comply or face penalties. These letters have ignited backlash among American lawmakers, many of whom argue that Britain has crossed a line by trying to dictate speech rules to American businesses and citizens. House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, along with other members of Congress, has taken his concerns directly to British ministers, raising objections with Science Secretary Peter Kyle.<ref>{{Cite news \|last=Frieth \|first=Dan \|date=2025-07-31 \|title=The White House Puts UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Notice Over UK’s Dangerous Online Censorship Laws \|url=https://reclaimthenet.org/us-uk-clash-over-online-safety-act-free-speech \|archive-url=https://archive.ph/hqjkG \|archive-date=31 Jul 2025 \|access-date=2025-08-18 \|work=Reclaim the Internet}}</ref>

	==Data breaches including ID documents==		==Data breaches including ID documents==
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	===Discord Third-Party Customer Service (5CA)===		===Discord Third-Party Customer Service (5CA)===
	On 3 October 2025, [[Discord]] issued a press release announcing "a Security Incident Involving Third-Party Customer Service [5CA]", in which "The unauthorized party [...] gained access to a small number of government‑ID images (e.g., driver’s license, passport) from users who had appealed an age determination".<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2025-10-03 \|title=Update on a Security Incident Involving Third-Party Customer Service \|url=https://discord.com/press-releases/update-on-security-incident-involving-third-party-customer-service \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251006163040/https://discord.com/press-releases/update-on-security-incident-involving-third-party-customer-service \|archive-date=2025-10-06 \|access-date=2025-10-07 \|website=discord.com}}</ref> The total number of ID images exposed was approximately 70,000. The data accessed came from an age-related appeals process which has been in place since before the OSA came into effect, and is used in conjunction with an "Automatic Age Check" system using k-ID.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-19 \|title=Help! I'm old enough to use Discord in my country but I got locked out? \|url=https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/360041820932-Help-I-m-old-enough-to-use-Discord-in-my-country-but-I-got-locked-out \|url-status=live \|access-date=2025-10-13 \|website=Discord}}</ref>		On 3 October 2025, [[Discord]] issued a press release announcing "a Security Incident Involving Third-Party Customer Service [5CA]", in which "The unauthorized party [...] gained access to a small number of government‑ID images (e.g., driver’s license, passport) from users who had appealed an age determination".<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2025-10-03 \|title=Update on a Security Incident Involving Third-Party Customer Service \|url=https://discord.com/press-releases/update-on-security-incident-involving-third-party-customer-service \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251006163040/https://discord.com/press-releases/update-on-security-incident-involving-third-party-customer-service \|archive-date=2025-10-06 \|access-date=2025-10-07 \|website=discord.com}}</ref> The total number of ID images exposed was approximately 70,000. The data accessed came from an age-related appeals process which has been in place since before the OSA came into effect, and is used in conjunction with an "Automatic Age Check" system using k-ID.<ref>{{Cite web \|date=2024-12-19 \|title=Help! I'm old enough to use Discord in my country but I got locked out? \|url=https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/360041820932-Help-I-m-old-enough-to-use-Discord-in-my-country-but-I-got-locked-out \|url-status=live \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127212200/https://support.discord.com/hc/en-us/articles/360041820932-Help-I-m-old-enough-to-use-Discord-in-my-country-but-I-got-locked-out \|archive-date=27 Jan 2025 \|access-date=2025-10-13 \|website=Discord}}</ref>

	==Consumer response==		==Consumer response==
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	Ofcom discouraged the promotion of VPNs.<ref name="UK_VPN" />		Ofcom discouraged the promotion of VPNs.<ref name="UK_VPN" />

	UK Parliament considers all petitions that get more than 100,000 signatures for debate. On 28 July 2025, when the petition to repeal the act had about 400,000 signatures, the government responded with this message: "The Government has no plans to repeal the Online Safety Act, and is working closely with Ofcom to implement the Act as quickly and effectively as possible to enable UK users to benefit from its protections.", only a few days after coming into force.<ref name=":0" /> This was only after three days (25 July 2025) the "highly effective age assurance" requirement came into force.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Department for Science, Innovation and Technology \|date=2025-07-24 \|title=Collection: Online Safety Act \|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/online-safety-act \|website=Gov.UK}}</ref>		UK Parliament considers all petitions that get more than 100,000 signatures for debate. On 28 July 2025, when the petition to repeal the act had about 400,000 signatures, the government responded with this message: "The Government has no plans to repeal the Online Safety Act, and is working closely with Ofcom to implement the Act as quickly and effectively as possible to enable UK users to benefit from its protections.", only a few days after coming into force.<ref name=":0" /> This was only after three days (25 July 2025) the "highly effective age assurance" requirement came into force.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Department for Science, Innovation and Technology \|date=2025-07-24 \|title=Collection: Online Safety Act \|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/online-safety-act \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250724092803/https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/online-safety-act \|archive-date=24 Jul 2025 \|website=Gov.UK}}</ref>

	The technology minister Peter Kyle said on Good Morning Britain, "if you want to overturn the Online Safety Act you are on the side of predators. Not those who want to keep children safe".<ref>{{Cite news \|date=2025-07-29 \|title=Peter Kyle Says 'Nigel Farage Is on the Side of Predators' \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-MaeOLISlA \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|work=Good Morning Britain, Youtube}}</ref>		The technology minister Peter Kyle said on Good Morning Britain, "if you want to overturn the Online Safety Act you are on the side of predators. Not those who want to keep children safe".<ref>{{Cite news \|date=2025-07-29 \|title=Peter Kyle Says 'Nigel Farage Is on the Side of Predators' \|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y-MaeOLISlA \|access-date=2025-08-16 \|work=Good Morning Britain, Youtube}}</ref>
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	*[[General Data Protection Regulation]]		*[[General Data Protection Regulation]]

	== External links ==		==External links==
	* https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/roadmap-to-regulation		*https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/roadmap-to-regulation

	==References==		==References==

2A00:23C8:2384:101:B34:3E7B:6AF4:18CF: added /* External links */

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added External links

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:49, 18 November 2025
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	*[[Freedom of expression in the United Kingdom]]		*[[Freedom of expression in the United Kingdom]]
	*[[General Data Protection Regulation]]		*[[General Data Protection Regulation]]

			== External links ==
			* https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/roadmap-to-regulation

	==References==		==References==

15.181.163.103 at 12:37, 9 November 2025

2025-11-09T12:37:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:37, 9 November 2025
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	===Wikipedia===		===Wikipedia===
	The [[Wikimedia Foundation]] (WMF) sued the United Kingdom to prevent them from forcing age checks on their websites. The WMF made a statement that being forced to comply with this act would compromise the privacy of its editors and the neutrality of the encyclopedia. On 11 August 2025, the London High Court denied the WMF's reasoning, but didn't necessarily force age checks for the website.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Castro \|first=Chiara \|date=August 12, 2025 \|title=Case dismissed – Wikipedia loses UK Online Safety Act legal challenge, but it may still be safe from age checks \|url=https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/case-dismissed-wikipedia-loses-uk-online-safety-act-legal-challenge-but-it-may-still-be-safe-from-age-checks}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|date=11 August 2025 \|title=Wikimedia Foundation Challenges UK Online Safety Act Regulations \|url=https://wikimediafoundation.org/news/2025/08/11/wikimedia-foundation-challenges-uk-online-safety-act-regulations/}}</ref>		The Wikimedia Foundation (WMF), which owns the digital encyclopedia platform [[Wikipedia]], sued the United Kingdom to prevent them from forcing age checks on their websites. The WMF made a statement that being forced to comply with this act would compromise the privacy of its editors and the neutrality of the encyclopedia. On 11 August 2025, the London High Court denied the WMF's reasoning, but didn't necessarily force age checks for the website.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Castro \|first=Chiara \|date=August 12, 2025 \|title=Case dismissed – Wikipedia loses UK Online Safety Act legal challenge, but it may still be safe from age checks \|url=https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/case-dismissed-wikipedia-loses-uk-online-safety-act-legal-challenge-but-it-may-still-be-safe-from-age-checks}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web \|date=11 August 2025 \|title=Wikimedia Foundation Challenges UK Online Safety Act Regulations \|url=https://wikimediafoundation.org/news/2025/08/11/wikimedia-foundation-challenges-uk-online-safety-act-regulations/}}</ref>

	===4Chan===		===4Chan===