Ofcom discovers issuing Online Safety Act fines is easier than collecting them
Ofcom says most Online Safety Act fines totaling over £7 million remain unpaid as platforms structure businesses to evade collection.
Ofcom director of enforcement Suzanne Cater told the House of Lords that the majority of fines issued under the UK Online Safety Act remain uncollected despite over £7 million in penalties on 11 providers. The regulator's largest fine was £1.4 million against 8579 LLC in February. Ofcom is running six enforcement programs and 40 formal investigations covering more than 100 services, including Telegram, TikTok and X, and is working with the UK government to strengthen its enforcement powers.
- Over £7 million in fines imposed on 11 service providers; most remain unpaid
- Largest OSA fine: £1.4 million against 8579 LLC in February
- 40 formal investigations and six active enforcement programs cover 100+ services
- Business disruption powers can restrict UK access but cannot recover unpaid fines directly
- Ofcom may hold senior managers personally liable in certain cases
- Victims
- 8579 LLC
- Organizations
- OfcomHouse of Lords
- Countries
- United Kingdom
From the original article
4 min read at theregister.comPlatforms comply just enough to avoid being blocked, leaving the regulator chasing debt
By Connor Jones · theregister.com
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