Category: Online Safety

We have warned users about scams for quite some time (see our Online Scams guide for a lot more on this) as these are becoming quite common. In the latest episode of BBC Scam Interceptors, the programme exposes a scam with a fake refund from Sky Broadband, but the issue being highlighted is one that […]

Research carried out by Virgin Media O2 has found that millions of people are likely to have seen fake customer service numbers using search engines and AI tools. It has also dealt with customers who have suffered fraud through contacting scam numbers. Scammers exploiting algorithms to place themselves above legitimate websites on search results is […]

Ofcom has announced more investigations are underway, Chat app Telegram is being investigated to ascertain if Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) is being shared and whether the large platform is complying with its legal obligations. Two teen chat sites have also had investigations started over concerns that Teen Chat and Chat Avenue which are two […]

The government has named Sir Ian Cheshire as its preferred candidate for Ofcom Chair, subject to a parliamentary hearing before the final appointment is confirmed. Cheshire was previously chair of Channel 4 and Chief Executive at Kingfisher plc, and held other roles as Chair of Barclays UK. He brings strong governance experience to the table, […]

Ofcom has announced that it is fining the anonymous imageboard website 4chan for non-compliance with the Online Safety Act. Ofcom has found that 4chan is still in breach of three duties – it has failed to protect children from encountering pornographic content through the use of highly effective age assurance, and this failure is ongoing. […]

Ofcom has launched an investigation into the provider of two image board services as to whether it has complied with its duties under the Online Safety Act. It is in particular looking to see if individuals have been prevented from encountering non-consensual intimate images (NCII) and child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Ofcom has decided not […]

The Information Commisioner’s Office has concluded an investigation into Reddit and how it handles the processing of children’s information. The conclusion reached is two large failures at Reddit with respect to data processing for children. “It’s concerning that a company the size of Reddit failed in its legal duty to protect the personal information of […]

The latest fine Ofcom has levied under the Online Safety Act has been announced and an overseas company is the latest to get fined for not having effective age assurance to prevent children accessing pornographic content. 8579 LLC has been fined £1.35 million due to the lack of age verification and an additional £50,000 for […]

Ofcom has today announced that it has fined another porn company for failing to put in place age verification to protect children from pornographic content. Kick Online Entertainment SA has been fined £800,000 for failings under the UK’s Online Safety Act. The Act required companies to ensure age check verification was in place from the […]

The investigation that Ofcom started into X on 5th January 2026 is at the position where they’ve requested information from X and are waiting for X to respond to the legally binding information requests. Ofcom has published the timeline update as the Information Commissioner’s Office is launching its own investigation into Grok as part of […]