The House of Lords Communications and Digital Committee has opened a call for evidence on the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act 2023 (UK OSA).
The UK OSA established a new regulatory framework requiring providers of regulated online services to manage risks arising from illegal content and activity and to protect children from harmful content. Ofcom is responsible for developing the relevant codes and guidance, supervising regulated services and taking action against noncompliance.
The inquiry will examine whether the regime is delivering the protections that Parliament intended, following the entry into force of the principal illegal content and protection of children duties in 2025, and Ofcom’s move into active monitoring and enforcement over the past 12 months. It will consider not only whether Ofcom’s approach has been sufficiently effective and timely, but also whether shortcomings in the legislation itself are limiting the regime’s impact. The review is potentially significant for social media platforms, search services and other regulated providers.
Why does the inquiry matter?
Although key duties are now in force, some stakeholders have questioned whether users are materially safer. The committee points to concerns about continuing online harm, the lack of pace and ambition of Ofcom’s implementation and enforcement, possible weaknesses in the statutory framework and the emergence of new technologies. Therefore, the inquiry marks a shift from implementation of the UK OSA to evaluation of its effectiveness. Parliament is asking whether the regime is producing meaningful improvements in online safety, and whether Ofcom and the statutory framework are equipped to keep pace with evolving technologies and harms. If it determines that the answer is ‘no’, that will inevitably have implications for regulated services.
What will the committee examine?
The committee’s call for evidence is organised around three areas: the real-world impact of the UK OSA, Ofcom’s implementation and enforcement, and the adequacy and future of the legislative framework.
See the list of 14 questions which respondents are invited to address in submissions.
What are the implications for regulated services?
The breadth of the inquiry suggests that Parliament is looking beyond formal compliance and towards measurable outcomes. Providers should expect scrutiny of whether their UK OSA programmes have resulted in substantive changes to platform governance, risk controls, complaints handling and service design, in addition to the completion of assessments and policies.
The inquiry also provides an opportunity for providers to identify practical difficulties with Ofcom’s codes, guidance, supervision or enforcement approach. Evidence submitted now may influence future regulatory expectations, revised codes and guidance, enforcement priorities, government policy and possible amendments to the UK OSA.
At the same time, Ofcom’s incoming chair, Sir Ian Cheshire, has launched a wide-ranging review of the regulator (to be completed in autumn 2026), arguing that it may need more funds, new powers and a different operating model to enforce the UK OSA effectively.
For regulated services, the likely direction of travel remains towards continued regulatory development – and more, rather than less, scrutiny. Businesses that have already implemented UK OSA compliance programmes should anticipate that expectations will evolve as Ofcom seeks to build its enforcement record and looks to pursue companies and enforce fines more aggressively, and Parliament considers whether further reforms are needed.
What is the deadline for submissions?
Written evidence must be submitted by 5:00 pm on Monday, 7 September 2026. The committee may then hold oral evidence sessions before publishing a report with findings and recommendations.
For more information, please contact Janet Kim, Tristan Lockwood, Sascha Grimm, Ollie McGlashan or any other member of the European tech regulation practice group.
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