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OfCom investigates whether the provider of a suicide forum did not comply with the duties under the online safety law.
This is the first investigation into an individual service provider under the new laws.
The act was passed in 2023 and requires firms to reduce illegal and harmful content, but its protection is only in effect Ofcom Practice codes.
The watchdog said that it is looked at whether the forum does not have appropriate measures to protect users from illegal content and how it can be used to commit or facilitate offenses “priority”, including the encouragement or assistance of suicide.
The supplier and forum were not mentioned.
OfCom said he tried to liaise with the supplier and issued a legally binding request to submit the record of the illegal damage to the risk assessment.
However, it is said to have received a ‘limited answer’ and ‘unsatisfactory information on the steps taken to protect British users from illegal content’.
On March 17, duties came into effect, which means that providers must protect UK users from illegal content and activity, including proportional measures to:
• soften the risk of using their service to commit or facilitate a priority offense
• Prevent individuals from experiencing priority illegal content
• Quickly take off illegal content as soon as they are aware of it
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Encouraging or helping a suicide in England and Wales can lead up to 14 years in prison.
If online providers refuse to get involved with OfCom on systemic problems, it can reach out to 10% of the global revenue of a business and carry out ‘business disruption’ measures.
This increases the possibility of big fines for the big players in social media, such as Instagram and the Facebook owner Meta.
:: Anyone who feels emotionally distressed or suicide can call Samaritans for help at 116 123 or email to jo@samaritans.org in the UK. Call the Samaritans branch in your area in the US or 1 (800) 273 talk.
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