Online Safety Act's 'safe harbor' hinders enforcement, UK watchdog says
By Imogen Howse ( September 15, 2026, 18:11 GMT | Insight) -- The Online Safety Act’s safe harbor framework can block further enforcement against platforms that follow Ofcom’s codes but leave identified risks unaddressed, the UK’s online safety regulator told lawmakers on Tuesday. During a session addressing the act's effectiveness since its main duties came into effect over a year ago, the regulator also voiced concerns that one of its strongest enforcement tools — seeking business disruption measures in court — cannot be used unless noncompliance is ongoing.The "safe harbor" provided by the codes of practice that implement the Online Safety Act is posing problems for enforcement against Big Tech, the UK's online safety regulator told lawmakers on Tuesday....
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