The rise of sophisticated online scams has cast a dark shadow over the digital landscape in the UK, with authorities scrambling to keep pace with the rapidly evolving threats. Amidst this chaos, the UK's communications regulator, Ofcom, has proposed sweeping new measures aimed at protecting users from fraudsters on major tech platforms. As part of the implementation of the Online Safety Act (OSA), these proposals would legally require prominent 'Category 1' platforms – including social media giants like Facebook and Instagram, as well as Google and ChatGPT – to ban scam advertisers, prevent new accounts being used for scams, and implement stricter ad clearance procedures.
The proposed changes are designed to combat the growing problem of user accounts being compromised by scammers, who can then use these platforms to host malicious ads. According to Ofcom's director of online safety, Oliver Griffiths, tech companies have not done enough to address this issue, and the regulator expects firms to take robust action to eliminate scam advertisements and bring those behind them to justice.
Under the proposed measures, platforms could face substantial penalties – potentially up to 10% of their global revenue – if they fail to comply with the new rules. While Ofcom has urged companies to enhance their anti-fraud measures immediately, the consultation period for these proposals will run until October, with final decisions not expected until next year.
Consumer advocacy group Which? has welcomed the proposals as a step in the right direction, but voiced concerns that the timeline for implementation is too slow given the rapid advancements in AI technology. The group described scam ads as a "profitable income stream" for tech firms and urged them to do more to address this issue.
The draft rules also include measures aimed at protecting journalistic content on these platforms, preventing arbitrary restrictions on news and content of democratic importance. Additionally, Ofcom has proposed limiting user exposure to harmful content such as suicide, self-harm, and hate speech.
Platforms subject to the new rules include Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Quora, Reddit, Roblox, Snapchat, TikTok, WhatsApp, X, and YouTube, with Wikipedia classified as an "emerging Category 1" platform and not currently subject to these restrictions.