Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the implications of requiring the use of technology that does not yet exist, or function satisfactorily, in notices under section 121 of the Online Safety Act 2023.

Ofcom will set out what technology is required for a service to comply with a Technology Notice under section 121 of the Online Safety Act. That technology must be accredited as meeting minimum standards of accuracy. Ofcom’s consultation on the minimum standards of accuracy closed in March 2025 and the finalised version will be published in due course.

Where a tech solution does not exist in relation to a particular service design, Ofcom will be able to direct companies to use best endeavours to develop or source technology that deals with child sexual exploitation and abuse content.