This is Ofcom's first annual report on notices to deal with terrorism content and/or CSEA content in respect of the calendar year 2024. Pursuant to section 128 of the Online Safety Act 2023 (the ‘Act’), this report has been sent to the Secretary of State and was presented to Parliament on 23 January 2025.
Executive summary
The Act gives Ofcom the power to issue a ‘Technology Notice’ requiring a provider of a Part 3 service to deal with terrorism and/or CSEA content when we consider it necessary and proportionate to do so. This is Ofcom's annual report pursuant to section 128 of the Act in respect of the calendar year 2024. It is a report about:
- the exercise of Ofcom's functions under Chapter 5 of Part 7 of the Act during that period (our ‘Technology Notice functions’), and
- technology which meets, or is in the process of development so as to meet, minimum standards of accuracy for the purposes of that chapter.
We have undertaken preparatory work in advance of 2024, and therefore we also include references to work undertaken in 2023.
The report explains how Ofcom has laid the groundwork for the use of our Technology Notice functions, which has led to the publication of our Consultation setting out proposals for our advice to the Secretary of State on minimum standards of accuracy for accredited technology and our draft guidance for the providers of Part 3 services on how we propose to exercise our Technology Notice functions. Currently, this part of the regime is not active, and the Secretary of State cannot approve or publish any minimum standards of accuracy until they have received advice from Ofcom.
