Online Safety Act stories

myFirst expands its kid-focused tech range and Circle app, offering smartphone-style features with tighter safety controls for families.

BSI unveils the first global standard for online age checks, aiming to harmonise safety rules as countries consider tougher social media curbs.

Ofcom has opened a probe into X over claims its Grok AI tool enabled deepfake sexual images, testing the UK’s new Online Safety Act.

Liz Kendall presses X to stop AI tool Grok being used for sexual deepfakes, warning it may be breaching the UK’s Online Safety Act rules.

A leading fraud expert says the FCA’s new Firm Checker will boost transparency but leave sophisticated social engineering scams largely untouched.

Over half of UK adults want under-16s barred from social media, as new polling exposes deep divides over children’s online access and safety.

YEO launches real-time facial age and ID checks promising ‘unspoofable’ privacy-first verification for social media, gaming and finance.

As Australia clamps down on under-16s online, Media.com bets its fully verified social network can profit from the global safety push.

Two thirds of UK parents back government plans to cap children’s social media at two hours a day, new Uswitch research suggests.

UK banks face rising AI-driven fraud in 2026 as criminals exploit gaps in regulation, prompting calls for urgent cross-sector action to protect consumers.

An Instagram safety campaign has been blocked by advertisers over fears it might upset Meta, highlighting Big Tech's influence in advertising decisions.

APP fraud, rising to 42% of UK losses in 2025, causes £2,300 lost per minute, urging banks and tech firms to boost joint防efforts.

UK and EU influencer marketing evolves with stricter compliance and education, boosting transparency and professionalism amid rising regulatory demands.

UK firm Verifymy teams up with k-ID to integrate email-based age checks into developer toolkit, enhancing online safety for children amid growing global regulations.

Fraud losses in the UK rose to GBP £629.3m in early 2025 despite banks blocking GBP £870m in unauthorised fraud attempts, driven by online scams.

OpenAI plans to allow erotica on ChatGPT, prompting UK safety scrutiny under the Online Safety Act and challenges over age verification and privacy.

UK parents now prefer restricting digital access over grounding, with 35% confiscating phones and 31% switching off WiFi to discipline their children.

Wikipedia has lost its UK High Court bid to avoid new Online Safety Act rules requiring user verification on its platform.

The UK government plans to impose a two-hour daily social media limit for under-16s to tackle youth compulsive behaviour and online harms.

Lady Frederick Windsor urges banning smartphones in schools, citing risks to children's physical and emotional health amid new Ofcom online safety rules.