Pre-screening by Internet Providers
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.
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedWe 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.
The Online Safety Act gives Ofcom the power to require the use of accredited technologies or best endeavours to deal with child sexual abuse content in private channels where necessary and proportionate. The Government is committed to an ongoing assessment of whether additional measures are needed, which could include pre-screening or other device level interventions, including to tackle the rise in self-generated indecent imagery. From 17 March 2025, in-scope services will need to comply with the illegal content safety duty. Child safety codes enforced from 25 July 2025.
Progress Timeline
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.
Leveraging Online Safety Act powers; monitoring implementation; assessing additional device-level interventions. Illegal content safety duty commenced 17 March 2025.