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A new era in online safety?

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What do global companies need to know about the Online Safety Act 2023? Lucy Blake, Joanna Ludlam, Will Jones & Karam Jardaneh explain
  • The UK’s Online Safety Act 2023 imposes sweeping duties on online platforms—including non-UK companies—to manage illegal and harmful content, with penalties up to £18m or 10% of global turnover.
  • Ofcom wields strong enforcement powers, including fines, blocking access to non-compliant services, and criminal liability for executives.

The United Kingdom’s Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA 2023) is ushering in a transformative era in digital regulation—one that will be felt far beyond the UK’s borders. Coming into effect in stages throughout 2025, the legislation redefines how online platforms must address illegal and harmful content, raising the bar for safety and accountability across the internet.

Friday 25 July 2025 marks a critical moment in the Act’s implementation, as key provisions, including child safety duties and enforcement guidance, begin to take practical effect. It is arguably a moment of global reckoning for digital

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Thomson Hayton Winkley—Jordan Wallace

Thomson Hayton Winkley—Jordan Wallace

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Ward Hadaway—Barnaby Rosenthall

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Bird & Bird—Shahin Baghaei

Bird & Bird—Shahin Baghaei

Bird Bird hires leading legal transformation expert

NEWS
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
From forgotten interest claims to case-management appeals, a string of procedural developments offers useful—and occasionally cautionary—lessons for practitioners

Jonathan Fisher KC highlights that it now accounts for around 40% of criminal offences, with roughly 70% involving technology, and argues that the UK cannot simply prosecute its way out of the problem. Detection, investigation and prosecution all require improvement, while different fraud types demand tailored responses.

How forcefully can a litigant criticise a public authority before robust advocacy crosses the line into unreasonable conduct? 
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