The Digital Policy Alliance will host a meeting on Tuesday 11 February at 1400-1600 in Westminster, chaired by Lord Erroll, on Ofcom's approach to implementing the Online Safety Act.

The Government has issued a Draft Statement of Strategic Priorities for online safety, which the independent regulator, Ofcom, must have regard to as it continues its work to implement the Online Safety Act. Ofcom has a range of regulatory functions in scope of the statement, such as those to enforce the regime or to develop regulatory products including Codes of Practice and guidance.

The meeting will discuss the recent Ofcom Research Report Online Nation 2024: Exploring digital trends and the online experience, and implications for preparation of guidance further to our understanding that 2025 will be the year of action for service providers on the following areas:

1. Risk assessments: from December services will be required to complete suitable and sufficient risk assessments.

2. Children's access assessments: from January, services will have to assess whether their service is likely to be access by children.

3. Codes: it is expected that the Illegal Harms and Protection of Children Codes of Practice will be enforceable around March and July 2025 respectively.

4. Age assurance: by July 2025, all services which allow porn will have to have age checks in place.

5. Transparency: transparency notices will start to be issued to categorised services summer 2025.

The DPA Digital Safety Tech Group has previously submitted responses further to members' inputs to consultations on problems Ofcom should address in guidance relating to the implementation of the Online Safety Act. DPA welcome your thoughts or comments on potential for further activity on this subject.

Space is limited. This meeting is for DPA members and registered observers only.

Please email dpa@dpalliance.org.uk for more information.

DPA Invitation: Implementing the Online Safety Act Event