21
Create an additional regulatory category for 'small but risky' platforms, based on their online harms.
Conclusion
The Online Safety Act does not do enough to address the risks posed by small platforms due to its exclusive focus on size. Ofcom should create an additional category to cover ‘small but risky’ platforms, based on analysis of the role that harmful smaller platforms can play in the online ecosystem, interacting with the recommendation algorithms of large platforms to spread harms such as misinformation, and disinformation campaigns. This regulation of small platforms should be in line with our Principles 1, 3 and 5. (Recommendation, Paragraph 55) 56
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 17 October 2025. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document.
Source
Report
2nd Report – Social media, misinformation and harmful algorithms
11 Jul 2025
HC 441
Addressee Bodies
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
Timeline
Recommendation age
1.2 yr
Report published
11 Jul 2025