UK Online Safety Act

[amenjet]

I've just been reading these sites:

https://www.theregister.com/2025/01/14/ ... afety_act/
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/forums/ ... hp?t=13306
https://spectrumcomputing.co.uk/forums/ ... hp?t=13306

The act seems to quite effectively destroy forums like this one. Has this been looked at with respect to this forum?

[Martin]

Hi Andrew and all watching..

Thank you for the heads up, and let me state from the outset that I'll do as much as possible to keep this forum running!

After following the links above it becomes clear that for a small forum such as ours the first step is to complete a risk assessment (guidance here).

I'll read the guidance, consider a risk assessment and report back in a few days.

Sincerely and in good faith
Martin

[amenjet]

Yes, after doing some reading myself, it looks like that is the case. It's maybe not quite an apocalypse as some people are making out.

[Martin]

Hi Andrew... Yes don't worry I'm on it... I'll show it to Yves first as he is our host then I'll post it here for comments and implications..

Sincerely
Martin

[Cosi]

Hmm...

Who has to publish a summary risk assessment on their website? Sites with 34 million or more monthly active UK users. The threshold is lower for services that allow users to forward or reshare user-generated content and use a content recommender system: 7 million or more UK users.

I don't think we have to worry... yet

[amenjet]

I think those people have to publish the risk assessment, everyone covered has to do one, but not necessarily publish it.

[Cosi]

Ah, you're probably right. Fingers crossed then, Martin!!

[Martin]

The act requires any on line 'forum' undertakes a risk assessment to address specific areas of concern.
The images below allow members to inspect the assessment privately. Guest cannot view images.
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UK_OSA_Page 1.png

UK_OSA_Page 2.png

UK_OSA_Page 3.png

UK_OSA_Page 4.png

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A printable document is held by the host, moderator and administrator available to Ofcom on request.

[NotFitForPurpose]

Hi,
it's entirely possible the following considered and rejected:

As a risk / harm mitigation reducing the risk profile, if a 'flag post' feature exists where any member could mark a post should undergo administrative review (due to it potentially falling outside the forum Scope). Of course there is always the concern of nuisance, it should quickly work its self out though.

Thanks for completing the document to enable the forum to continue to function.