Online Safety Act 2023: guidance to the regulator about fees
Guidance issued by DSIT Secretary of State to Ofcom about determining fees payable by regulated services under the Online Safety Act 2023.
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The UK is leading the way in online safety, delivering comprehensive, forward-looking legislation via the Online Safety Act 2023 (the Act). The Act brings in new laws to protect users and tackle criminal activity online, and Ofcom has been given powers to deliver a robust regulatory framework to make regulated services safer for users.
The online safety regime will be funded by fees paid by regulated service providers whose qualifying worldwide revenue meets or exceeds a certain revenue threshold, and who are not otherwise exempt. Before Ofcom can charge fees, there are a number of implementation steps that need to take place.
The Act requires DSIT Secretary of State to issue guidance to Ofcom about the principles to be included in the Statement of Charging Principles (SOCP) that Ofcom propose to apply in determining fees payable (section 87(1) of the Act).
Ofcom must have regard to this guidance when designing the SOCP, as well as when exercising any other functions in connection with part 6 of the Act.
Ofcom have been consulted on this guidance in accordance with section 87(2) of the Act.