Failure to submit will result in penalties! UK regulatory agencies warn: Tech companies like Meta (META.US) must complete illegal harm risk assessments by the end of March.

The UK communications regulator, the Office of Communications (OFCOM), has set March 31 as the deadline for online service providers such as Meta Platforms (META.US) and Alphabet Inc. Class C (GOOGL.US) to submit their final illegal harm risk assessments, or they may face enforcement action. It is reported that the UK officially implemented the comprehensive Online Safety Law in December last year, aiming to fundamentally reduce harmful online content such as false information, incitement of hatred and violence. The first version of the technology company code of conduct and guidelines issued by OFCOM clearly outlines the measures that technology companies should take to address illegal content on their social media platforms, such as terrorism, hate speech, fraud, and child sexual abuse. These measures constitute a series of obligations imposed for the first time by regulators under the Online Safety Law, known as "duty of care," which require technology companies to ensure that they take responsibility for harmful content uploaded and disseminated on their platforms. This means that technology companies need to take appropriate measures to identify, assess, and manage harmful content on their platforms, and if they fail to fulfill these duties of care, it may result in legal liability and regulatory penalties. OFCOM stated on Monday that online service providers have three months since the publication of the illegal harm code of conduct and guidance on December 16, 2024 to carry out a "proper and thorough" assessment of illegal content risks. In a statement, OFCOM said, "Specifically, they must determine the likelihood of users encountering illegal content on their services, or in the case of user-to-user services, how they are being used to commit or facilitate certain criminal activities." The regulatory agency also pointed out that online service providers must keep written records of the risk assessment, including details of how the assessment was conducted and the results. OFCOM's Executive Director Suzanne Cater said, "We have identified some online services that may cause specific harm to UK users due to illegal content - including large platforms and small websites - and have asked them to provide us with illegal harm risk assessments this month." "We are prepared to take swift action against any online service providers that do not comply with the regulations." The agency stated that it has launched an enforcement program to oversee compliance with the responsibilities of illegal harm risk assessment.