Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, with reference to page 25 of the National Security Strategy 2025, CP 1338, published on 24 June 2025, what steps she has taken with Ofcom to use the Online Safety Act 2023 in the context of the National Security Strategy.

The government is committed to working with Ofcom to ensure the Online Safety Act is implemented quickly and effectively, recognising its vital role in protecting the public and supporting national security.

All services in scope of the Act must comply with illegal content duties and, where relevant, safeguard children from harmful content. The illegal harms codes of practice came into effect in March. Services must take steps to prevent users from encountering illegal content or activity. They must apply additional measures for the most serious and prevalent offences, including child sexual exploitation and abuse, terrorism, and threats to kill.