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Ofcom

@ofcom.bsky.social
2.9K followers 45 following 57 posts

Official account for Ofcom, the UK’s independent communications regulator. ofcom.org.uk

PostsRepliesMedia
Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Our Media Nations research reveals the nation's changing media habits. 📺 Broadcaster on-demand services grew year on year. ⚽ Live event TV like the World Cup continued to attract huge audiences. 🔎 Viewers turn to Netflix and BBC first when searching for something to watch.
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
We're investigating whether TikTok's age assurance measures are effective at protecting UK children from harmful content. This follows our new report looking at the use of age checks under the Online Safety Act.
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
Following today's announcement on under 16s' access to social media, we are ready to work with Government to ensure the new measures are implemented quickly and are robust and effective. This builds on existing protections for children online. 🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
New measures announced to protect children online
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 10/06/2026
Read the letter in full: www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
Open letter to UK online service providers regarding civil unrest in Belfast
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
New commitments to protect children online will mean: 🔷 Adults can't message children on Snap by default 🔷 Parents can switch off chat for under-16s on Roblox 🔷 Instagram to detect sexualised conversations between adults and teens More 🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
Snap, Meta and Roblox commit to stronger anti-online grooming protections, symbolised with a hand messaging on a phone with a shield over the top.
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 15/05/2026
We have accepted X’s public commitments to bring in new protections to tackle illegal hate and terror content. Read the full list of changes and our statement here 🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
Statement on X’s commitment to bring in new protections to tackle illegal hate and terror content
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
📢 New proposals to extend audience protections to the largest streaming services used by UK viewers. Plans adapt familiar TV standards for streaming, covering under‑18s, harm and offence, due accuracy and impartiality, and fairness and privacy.🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and...
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 13/05/2026
🧵 This forum has reportedly been linked with over 130 UK deaths. Despite making changes to block UK users, it is still accessible here without a VPN. The fact that the provider is based outside the UK does not mean the forum is outside the scope of the Online Safety Act.
Online suicide forum fined £950,000 for not complying with Online Safety Act duties to protect people in the UK from illegal content.
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 21/04/2026
We're investigating Telegram, Teen Chat and Chat Avenue after evidence suggests child sexual abuse material being shared on Telegram and predators using teen chat sites to groom children. Read about our investigations in full: www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
Investigations launched into Telegram and teen chat sites under the Online Safety Act
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Our research on how UK adults use media finds: 📱 They're more passive on social media, with less people actively posting, sharing or commenting 🤖 AI adoption accelerates, including for companionship and creativity 📰 Trust in news sources is fragmented Read more: www.ofcom.org.uk/media-use-an...
Are you becoming more passive on social media? 49% now actively post, share, or comment on social media - down from 61% in 2024
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 19/03/2026
We've fined 4chan £450,000 for not having age checks in place to prevent children seeing porn on its site. The Online Safety Act is concerned with protecting people in the UK. It doesn't require platforms to restrict what people in other countries see. 🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
4chan fined £450,000 for not protecting UK children from online pornography
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 17/03/2026
📢 Our rules to fuel the full-fibre rollout and support UK productivity. 🛜 Nearly 8 in 10 homes have access to full-fibre broadband 📈 That's up from less than 1 in 4 in 2021 👍 Upgrades bolster UK productivity, as AI transforms businesses More 🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-b...
Millions set to get faster, better connections, unlocking economic gains across the UK
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
We've set out four clear demands for sites and apps most popular with children, to: 🚫 Enforce their minimum age rules 🛡️ Put in place grooming protections ⚙️ Make their algorithms safer 🧪 Stop testing new products and features on children
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
The Media Act is the first major change to media legislation for 20 years. It will: 🛡️ Protect audiences on more platforms ✅ Make sure disabled people can access & enjoy content 📡 Ensure public service media continues to deliver for audiences 🎧 Update regulation to reflect modern listening habits
The Media Act: an update on our progress
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
We're progressing our investigation into X as a matter of urgency, using our powers to gather and analyse evidence to determine whether it has broken the law. ➡️ Read our update in full: www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
Update on investigation into X
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Reposted by Ofcom
Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) @iwf.org.uk · 29/01/2026
Our new memorandum of understanding with @ofcom.bsky.social builds on strong existing relationship and lays the groundwork for how we can assist Ofcom in its duties under the Online Safety Act. Read more on our website. www.iwf.org.uk/news-media/n...
iwf.org.uk
Ofcom and IWF reinforce partnership in fight against child sexual abuse online
A new agreement between Ofcom and the Internet Watch Foundation has strengthened the UK’s commitment to cracking down on online child sexual abuse imagery.
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
This is a welcome development. However, our formal investigation remains ongoing. We are working round the clock to progress this and get answers into what went wrong and what’s being done to fix it.
reuters.com
Musk's xAI curbs Grok image editing after California, Europe air concerns
Elon Musk's artificial intelligence company xAI said late on Wednesday it imposed restrictions on all users of its Grok AI chatbot that limit image editing after the service produced sexualized images...
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
We've launched an investigation into X over Grok sexualised imagery. We've opened a formal investigation into X under the Online Safety Act, to determine whether it has complied with its duties to protect people in the UK from content that is illegal in the UK. 🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
'Ofcom launches investigation into X over Grok sexualised imagery'
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 26/06/2025
📢 We've outlined how we plan to set fees and penalties under the Online Safety Act. Tech firms will fund our work based on their qualifying worldwide revenue, just like in other sectors we regulate. Learn more about our approach here: www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
🚨 9 new online safety investigations. We're investigating whether 4chan, a porn provider and seven file-sharing services have failed to comply with their duties under the Online Safety Act. 🔗 Find out more: www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
'Nine new online safety investigations into 4chan, file-sharing services, and a porn provider'
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 12/05/2025
We’re proposing a change to our broadcasting rules. Under this change, politicians could still present programmes, but could not be a newsreader, news interviewer or news reporter in any type of programme, without exceptional editorial justification. www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and...
ofcom.org.uk
Consultation on change to broadcasting rules for ‘politicians as presenters’
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 07/05/2025
Check out the latest trends for how people in the UK live their lives online: 🤖 AI is on the rise, but not trusted by all 🚫 Scams and fake profiles 📱 Smartphone use Find out more here: www.ofcom.org.uk/media-use-an...
'Top trends in UK media lives - our latest research on how people in the UK access, use, and perceive their online and media lives.'
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 24/04/2025
🔒 Children in the UK will lead safer online lives as we've finalised safety measures for sites and apps to introduce from July. Tech firms must act to prevent children from seeing harmful content, and meet their duties under the Online Safety Act ➡️ Read more: www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
'New rules for a safer generation of children online. What changes will there be?'
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 10/04/2025
📻 We have reviewed BBC plans for new DAB+ radio stations. We are proposing to: ✅ Green light new Radio 1 Dance, Radio 1 Anthems, and Radio 3 Unwind. 🟥 Deny plans for a new Radio 2 station and expanded Radio 5 Sports Extra. More 🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and...
Ofcom proposals 
in response to BBC radio expansion plans
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
We've launched an investigation into whether the provider of an online suicide forum has failed to comply with its duties under the Online Safety Act. Read more here: www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
'Ofcom investigates online suicide forum'
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 17/03/2025
🚨 From today, tech platforms must start tackling criminal content on their sites to protect their users. This includes removing child sexual abuse material, fraud and illegal content encouraging suicide. Read more 🔗 ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
'Platforms must now take action against illegal material online'.
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 25/02/2025
📢 We're calling on tech companies to make the online world safer for women and girls. Our draft guidance - shaped by victims, survivors and safety experts - outlines key areas where platforms should do more. ➡️ Read more: www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
Text that says: "Women and girls face real risks online - and many tech companies are failing to act" and image of woman's reflection in cracked phone screen.
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
The universal postal service needs reform to remain sustainable. We propose: 📨 First class to still be delivered next day, six days a week. 📩 Second class delivered on alternate weekdays - within three days. 🚫 No Saturday deliveries for Second Class. More 🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/post/royal-m...
Ofcom proposes changes to protect the postal service for the future
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 29/01/2025
🚨 New blocking measures to protect people from 'spoof' calls. Phone companies must now block overseas calls pretending to be from UK landlines, under our strengthened industry guidance. Read more about our work to clamp down on scams: www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-b...
Hand holding phone and text that says: "Tired of scam calls?"
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 28/01/2025
📻 Applications for the latest round of small-scale DAB radio multiplexes are now open. Small-scale DAB helps to bring more local radio to listeners across the UK, from grass-roots community services to specialist music stations. Find out more here: www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and...
New small-scale DAB multiplex licences 
Arbroath, Carnoustie & Montrose 
Bridgwater 
Bromsgrove, Kidderminster & Redditch 
Cirencester 
Ely & March 
Enniskillen 
Exmouth & Dawlish 
Gloucester 
Lancaster 
Llanelli 
Loughborough & Coalville 
Malton 
Market Harborough
Midlothian 
Moray Coast South 
Newark-on-Trent 
North Berkshire & South Oxfordshire 
North Norfolk 
North Somerset 
Oban 
Ringwood, Verwood & Fordingbridge 
Rugby & Daventry 
Stockton-on-Tees 
Wellingborough 
West Oxfordshire 
West Somerset & Lynton 
Western Isles 
Weston-super-Mare 
Worcester
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 21/01/2025
🔎 Is your business in scope of the Online Safety Act? We've launched our digital toolkit to help businesses comply with new online safety rules. 🛠️ Find out more: www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
ofcom.org.uk
Ofcom launches digital safety toolkit for online services
Ofcom has launched a digital toolkit to help businesses comply with new online safety rules.
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Reposted by Ofcom
The Guardian @theguardian.com · 16/01/2025
Stronger age checks to come into force for online pornography sites in UK
theguardian.com
Stronger age checks to come into force for online pornography sites in UK
Regulator Ofcom releases guidelines that call for use of face scans, credit cards checks or photo-ID Users accessing online pornography in the UK could soon be required to have their face scanned, under measures announced by Ofcom to stop children seeing…
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 16/01/2025
Online services must introduce age checks to protect children from encountering porn. Our new guidance sets out how we expect sites and apps to introduce highly effective age assurance, while protecting adults' privacy rights. Find out more: www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
White text on blue background with image of computer with pixelated screen. Text that reads: "Age checks to protect children from online porn."
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 19/12/2024
📢 Top 10 most complained-about TV shows of 2024 revealed. In 2024 we received over 69K complaints about 9K cases, with the top 10 accounting for 61% of all complaints. Find out more 🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and...
Top 10 most complained about TV programmes 2024
Julia Hartley-Brewer, TalkTV, 3 January – 17,366 complaints
Good Morning Britain, ITV1, 5 August – 16,851 complaints 
Love Island, ITV2, 24 July – 1,832 complaints  
Good Morning Britain, ITV1, 30 May – 1,777 complaints 
Emmerdale, ITV1, 27 and 28 May – 1,193 complaints 
Big Brother, ITV2, 7 November – 747 complaints  
Sunak v Starmer: The ITV Debate, ITV1, 4 June – 710 complaints
Good Morning Britain, ITV1, 2 October – 705 complaints  
This Morning, ITV1, 28 May – 647 complaints
Big Brother, ITV2, 22 October – 553 complaints
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 16/12/2024
🚨 A major milestone in online safety. Sites and apps must now start taking action to protect people from illegal harm online. Key measures include: 🔒 Senior accountability for safety 🛠️ Improved content moderation and reporting systems 🛡️ Protecting children from abuse
The Online Safety Act has come into force. Tech firms now have new legal duties to protect people from illegal harms online.
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 13/12/2024
We've fined Royal Mail £10.5m for failing to meet its delivery targets in 2023/24. 74.7% of First Class mail and 92.7% of Second Class was delivered on time, well short of its target of 93% and 98.5%. 🔗 Read more: www.ofcom.org.uk/post/royal-m...
Red post box on a blue background, with the words 'Royal Mail fined £10.5m'
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 12/12/2024
Social tariff take-up surges to over 500,000, offering broadband and mobile customers savings of up to £220 a year. But our new research shows millions of eligible UK households are unaware and missing out on these deals. Find out more: 🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-b...
A bar graph and pie chart showing social tariff take-up by provider in Q2 2024.
Bar graph:
Title: Social tariff take-up
Y-axis: Number of homes
X-axis: Quarter
Data:
Q2 2022: 80,000 homes
Q2 2023: 311,000 homes
Q2 2024: 506,000 homes
Pie chart:
Title: Q2 2024 take-up, by provider
Data:
BT: 63%
Sky: 18%
Vodafone: 7%
Virgin Media: 5%
Shell Energy 4%
KCOM: 1%
Others (inc. mobile): 2%
Additional notes:
An illustration of a smartphone and a router is included in the bar graph.
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 10/12/2024
At this time of year, be extra vigilant about scams: 🛍️ Online shopping scams could see you parted from your money. 📦 Beware of dodgy parcel delivery messages. 🚗 Parking scams are rife – be careful when using car parks. Find out more: www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-b...
ofcom.org.uk
Seasonal scams to watch out for
At this time of year it pays to be extra vigilant when it comes to scams. So, we wanted to remind you of a few common scams to watch out for, to help you avoid falling victim.
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Our latest data shows a sharp rise in UK homes taking up satellite broadband to keep connected. 87,000 homes, mainly in rural areas, now use satellite services – up from 42,000 last year. Read for more: www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-b...
Animated image of a satellite transmitting signals to Earth with the headline: Satellite broadband connections have more than doubled in the last year.
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 05/12/2024
Our new figures on the UK's broadband and mobile coverage are out. They reveal: 🛜 More than 20 million homes can now get full-fibre broadband. ⚡Average max download speeds now 223 Mbit/s. 📱5G coverage rises, but most mobile traffic still on 4G. Read for more: www.ofcom.org.uk/phones-and-b...
Map showing percentage of UK properties with access to different broadband speeds: Gigabit-capable (83%), Full Fibre (69%), Superfast (98%), Unable to get decent broadband (0.2%). Scotland: Gigabit-capable (77%), Full Fibre (62%), Superfast (96%), Unable to get decent (0.5%). Northern Ireland: Gigabit-capable (94%), Full Fibre (93%), Superfast (98%), Unable to get decent (0.2%). Wales: Gigabit-capable (74%), Full Fibre (68%), Superfast (96%), Unable to get decent (0.5%). England: Gigabit-capable (84%), Full Fibre (69%), Superfast (98%), Unable to get decent (0.1%).
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 29/11/2024
🚨 We have today published our seventh annual report on the BBC - looking at performance in 2023/24. Alongside this, we have also published the final report of our local media review. Find out more 🔗 www.ofcom.org.uk/tv-radio-and...
📢 Ofcom’s Annual Report on the BBC
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Our research finds that out of the 10 most popular social media platforms: 🤳 Women spend more time on Pinterest, Snapchat, Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. 📱 While men spend more time on Quora, X, Reddit, LinkedIn and YouTube. Read more: www.ofcom.org.uk/media-use-an...
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 28/11/2024
Our latest report into the UK's digital habits reveals: ⏲️ Gen Z women spend over an hour longer online than Gen Z men. 📱Men are more avid users of online dating and Gen AI. ⚠️ Women and teenage girls are most concerned about online harm. Read more: www.ofcom.org.uk/media-use-an...
ofcom.org.uk
Digital differences between men and women revealed
Stark differences in the online lives of men and women in the UK are today revealed in Ofcom’s annual report into the nation’s digital habits.
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 27/11/2024
Our new research reveals: 🔹 4 in 10 UK adults encounter misinformation, mainly online 🔹 45% feel they can confidently judge whether sources of information are truthful. 🔹 30% feel confident judging if content is AI-generated. Find out more: www.ofcom.org.uk/media-use-an...
White text on blue background that says: "4 in 10 UK adults encounter misinformation" with image of woman holding a phone.
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 26/11/2024
Want to stay in the loop on our latest online safety news and insights? ✉️ Subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you get tomorrow's edition in your inbox: www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/...
Blue background with white text that says: "The Online Safety Briefing"
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 25/11/2024
Thanks to all who joined our event last week to bring together government, charities, tech platforms and others working to tackle the harm women and girls face online. Early next year we'll publish draft guidance on protecting women and girls online- these insights will be vital to developing this.
Picture of panel at event on a stage. Chaired by Cathy Newman, guests included: Domestic Abuse Commissioner for England and Wales, Nicole Jacobs; David Miles from Meta ; Emma Pickering from Refuge; Author and TV personality, Georgia Harrison; and Ofcom’s Jessica Smith.
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
It’s good to see Instagram bringing this in before regulation starts to bite, and we’ll be pressing for companies to do more to protect and empower their users. When the UK's online safety laws are fully in force, the largest sites and apps will have to give people more control over what they see.
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Ofcom @ofcom.bsky.social · 19/11/2024
Hi Bluesky! We're here 👋 follow us for updates on media, online safety, telecoms, and more.
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