Parliament Opens Inquiry into Whether the Online Safety Act Is Working

LONDON — Parliament has launched a new inquiry into the implementation, enforcement and impact of the Online Safety Act.

The House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee opened the inquiry on 27 July, one year after major duties intended to protect children came into force.

The Online Safety Act was designed to require regulated services to assess risks, tackle illegal material and protect children from harmful content.

The committee says concerns have been raised that the current regime is ineffective and that Ofcom may not be acting quickly or firmly enough to hold technology companies accountable. It will examine how the regulator has implemented the law, what platforms have changed and whether weaknesses in the legislation are limiting its impact.

The inquiry will also consider emerging forms of harm as technology and online behaviour develop. Artificial intelligence, encrypted services, algorithmic recommendation systems and new forms of online interaction may create risks that were not fully understood when the Act was passed.

Age-assurance systems are likely to be an important area of scrutiny. Supporters argue that stronger checks are necessary to keep children away from harmful material. Privacy advocates warn that poorly designed systems may collect excessive personal or identity data.

The committee will need to examine whether safety systems are effective, proportionate and transparent. It must also consider freedom of expression, due process and the ability of users to appeal when lawful material is removed incorrectly.

Ofcom regulates services used in the UK, including companies based overseas. Enforcement may be difficult when a provider has little physical or financial presence within the country.

The inquiry is accepting written evidence until 5 p.m. on 7 September 2026. No public evidence sessions had been scheduled when the inquiry page was published.

The committee cannot amend the law by itself, but it may recommend legislative changes, stronger enforcement or revised regulatory guidance.

The central test is whether the Online Safety Act is producing measurable reductions in harm without creating unnecessary surveillance or suppressing lawful speech.

Source attribution: UK Parliament and the House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee.