Ofcom
Ofcom business and news from across the web.- Meta, Snap and Roblox commit to tougher anti-grooming measures in UKMeta, Snap, and Roblox have committed to implementing tougher anti-grooming measures in the UK following urging from Ofcom. These social networks will enhance their safety protocols to protect users, particularly children, from online grooming.
- Morning Legal BriefsMindsEye Developer is facing employee backlash over its surveillance software. Additionally, Ofcom is investigating Telegram for concerns related to child sexual abuse material, and a third ransomware professional has pleaded guilty.
- Evening MetaverseSpaceX is attempting to persuade the FCC that Amazon's satellites were deployed at an incorrect altitude. Separately, Ofcom has reported a decrease in social media posting activity.
UK regulators explain what 'highly effective' age assurance for the Online Safety Act actually meansThe UK's Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and Ofcom have issued guidance on what constitutes 'highly effective age assurance' (HEAA) under the Online Safety Act. The regulators emphasize a flexible, tech-neutral approach, stating that HEAA is primarily required for services with pornographic content or user-to-user services likely to be accessed by children that allow harmful content. They clarified that methods like self-declaration or debit cards are not considered highly effective, while options like credit card checks, photo-ID matching, and facial age estimation may qualify.- Apple introduces age verification for iCloud accounts in the UKApple has implemented an age verification system for iCloud accounts in the UK, requiring users to prove they are 18 or older to access certain services. Users can verify their age by linking a credit card or scanning an ID. The UK's communications regulator, Ofcom, praised the move, noting it goes beyond the requirements of the Online Safety Act.
- UK fines 4chan nearly $700,000 for failing its online safety act obligationsThe UK's Ofcom has fined the website 4chan a total of £520,000 ($690,000) for failing to comply with its obligations under the Online Safety Act 2023. Penalties were issued for issues including the failure to prevent children from encountering pornography, insufficient illegal content risk assessment, and inadequate terms of service regarding user protection.