UK social media ban risks stop-start regulation, former ICO deputy says
By Patricia Figueiredo ( July 14, 2026, 14:37 GMT | Comment) -- Social media platforms could face a stop-start UK regulatory regime unless the planned under-16s ban is aligned with the Online Safety Act, the former Deputy Information Commissioner told MLex. Steve Wood said the introduction of a ban appeared to accept that the existing framework hadn’t worked, even if there was no previous assessment of the act's impact. He also urged the government to keep the act central, to give regulator Ofcom more resources, and to consider a standing parliamentary committee to keep policy responsive to fast-paced technology.The UK’s upcoming social media ban for under-16s risks creating a sporadic approach to regulation unless it’s aligned with the implementation of the Online Safety Act, former UK Deputy Information Commissioner Steve Wood told MLex in an interview....
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