Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Accepted
Committee takes evidence on preparedness for online safety regulation from DSIT and Ofcom.
Conclusion
On the basis of a report by the Comptroller and Auditor General, we took evidence from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (the Department) and Ofcom about preparedness for online safety regulation.1
Government Response Summary
The government states that Ofcom is on track to meet the statutory deadline of 26 April 2025 for reporting on illegal harms and protection of children. Ofcom has already issued its illegal harms consultation and will publish its protection of children consultation in May 2024.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. on illegal harms and protection of children to the Secretary of State within 18 months of the Act becoming law, by 26 April 2025. Ofcom is on track to meet this deadline. Ofcom’s illegal harms consultation was issued on 9 November 2023, it closed on 23 February 2024 and Ofcom is now analysing the responses with a view to publishing a statement in late 2024. Ofcom will also publish its protection of children consultation in May 2024. Ofcom is confident that it will issue a statement on the protection of children in time to meet the statutory deadline.