Statement: guidance for video-sharing platform providers on measures to protect users from harmful material

Statement published 6 October 2021

Ofcom has been given new powers to regulate UK-established video-sharing platforms (VSPs). VSP regulation sets out to protect users of VSPs from specific types of harmful material in videos. This includes protecting under-18s from potentially harmful material and all users from material inciting violence or hatred, and content constituting criminal offences relating to terrorism; child sexual abuse material; and racism and xenophobia. VSPs are also required to ensure certain standards around advertising are met.

The statutory framework sets out a list of measures which providers must consider taking, as appropriate, to secure the required protections. These new requirements came into force on 1 November 2020.

Ofcom consulted on draft guidance for VSP providers on the regulatory requirements between 24 March 2021 and 2 June 2021. This covered the measures set out in the statutory framework and how these might be implemented.

We have published our final guidance alongside this statement.