FR-12 Response Accepted in Part AI-assessed

Pre-screening by Internet Providers

Recommendation

The Inquiry recommends that the UK government makes it mandatory for all regulated providers of search services and user-to-user services to pre-screen for known child sexual abuse material.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the Online Safety Act, which received Royal Assent, Ofcom has the power to require the use of accredited technologies or best endeavours to address child sexual abuse material in private channels. The government has committed to an ongoing assessment of whether additional measures are needed (Gov.uk progress update, 8 April 2025). However, Professor Alexis Jay stated in January 2025 that none of IICSA's final recommendations had been implemented as of December 2024 (Home Affairs Select Committee, 21 January 2025).
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
Jurisdiction
UK-wide
Section Reference
K.5
Response
Accepted in Part
Accepted in Part UK Government
22 May 2023

We accept the need to hold companies to account for removing, reporting and limiting the spread of child sexual abuse material on their services. The UK’s world- leading Online Safety Bill will address this by including the strongest duties for companies to identify and remove child sexual abuse content from their services. We expect the bill to receive Royal Assent this Parliamentary session.

Read Full Response
Progress Timeline
Official Report
31 Jan 2026

Online Safety Act child safety duties commenced 25 July 2025, imposing new duties on regulated online services to assess and mitigate risks to children. Ofcom monitoring implementation and enforcement. Government assessing whether additional device-level interventions are needed.

Source
Official Report
08 Apr 2025

Leveraging Online Safety Act powers; monitoring implementation; assessing additional device-level interventions. Illegal content safety duty commenced 17 March 2025.

Source
Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

No Meaningful Progress
21 Jan 2025
Home Affairs Select Committee Select Committee

Professor Alexis Jay told Home Affairs Committee that £187m was spent on IICSA and "to date none of its final recommendations had been implemented." Called for "full implementation" saying "get it done."

View detailed findings

As of December 2024, none of the 20 final report recommendations had been implemented. The previous government's response was described by Prof Jay as "very weak and, at times, apparently disingenuous."

Home Affairs Committee hearing, 21 January 2025 View Source
Source
Inquiry IICSA
Report The Report of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse 20 Oct 2022
View Source
Responsible Bodies
UK Government Primary
Themes & Tags
Child exploitation criminalisation Harmful Algorithmic Content Promotion Online Safety Technology Csam
Recommendation age 3.4 yrs
Last formal update 31 Jan 2026