Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, how the Government will fine firms that fail to inform Ofcom of age assurance processes that prevent children’s access to online content.

The Online Safety Act 2023 establishes Ofcom as independent regulator for online safety in the UK. Ofcom has powers to sanction services in-scope of the Act who do not comply with their duties under the Act, including the child safety duties and age assurance provisions.

Ofcom’s enforcement powers will include directing services to take measures to comply with their duties, fining companies up to £18 million, or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue (whichever is the greater), and initiating business disruption measures.

Ofcom has published enforcement guidance illustrating how it will calculate penalties in a proportionate, case-by-case way.