# Ofcom Enforces Online Safety Act: What Dating Platforms Must Do Now _Ofcom reminds platforms of duties under the Online Safety Act. Dating services must assess risks and comply to avoid enforcement actions._ Source: https://highintentmedia.com/news/ofcom-warns-online-safety-delay Author: High Intent Newsroom Published: 2026-09-02T07:43:25+00:00 Last updated: 2026-09-02T08:25:50.989763+00:00 Category: Policy ## Summary Ofcom reminded online services, including dating platforms, that current UK Online Safety Act obligations remain in force. Operators must complete Children's Access Assessments and implement safety measures now, despite future government changes. Non-compliance will lead to enforcement action, emphasizing immediate adherence to existing duties. ## Key takeaways - Dating services must currently comply with UK Online Safety Act obligations. - Children's Access Assessments and risk management are immediately required. - Ofcom will enforce compliance; upcoming rules do not defer current duties. - Future protections, including a potential under-16 social media ban, start in 2027. - Ofcom will assess age assurance at age 16 by October 2026. ## FAQ ### What are dating platforms' immediate obligations under the UK Online Safety Act? Dating platforms must immediately complete Children's Access Assessments if children might access their service. They also need to identify and assess risks using Ofcom's registers and implement measures from Ofcom's Codes of Practice, or equivalent, while maintaining appropriate records. ### Do future child protection measures change current Online Safety Act requirements for dating services? No, future child protection measures do not change current requirements for dating services. Ofcom emphasized that existing compliance duties must be met in full now, regardless of additional protections expected from spring 2027. ### What enforcement actions can Ofcom take against non-compliant dating platforms? Ofcom has stated it will take enforcement action where platforms fail to comply with current duties. The regulator expects full compliance and will monitor services to ensure effective implementation of safety measures. ### When are new child protection measures, like a social media ban for under-16s, expected? New child protection measures, including a proposed ban on social media for under-16s, are expected to come into force from spring 2027. These are future protections and do not impact present compliance requirements. - Ofcom has reminded online services that existing UK Online Safety Act obligations remain in force despite upcoming government changes to child protection measures. - Platforms accessible to children must complete Children's Access Assessments and implement measures from Ofcom's Codes of Practice while maintaining appropriate records. - New protections expected from spring 2027 include a proposed ban on social media for under-16s and restrictions on harmful functions across online services. - Ofcom will publish a rapid assessment of age assurance at age 16 in October 2026 and take enforcement action against non-compliant platforms. UK regulator Ofcom has issued a clear reminder to social media platforms, dating services, and other online providers that their current legal duties under the Online Safety Act cannot be ignored while the government prepares additional child protection measures. The announcement comes as speculation grows about future regulations, including a potential ban on social media access for under-16s. Ofcom emphasized that existing compliance requirements must be met in full, regardless of what changes may be coming. Online safety regulation and child protection ## Current Obligations Remain Unchanged The regulator issued an open letter to online services alongside a blog outlining its approach to supervision and compliance. Ofcom said announcements about future measures, including plans to prevent under-16s from accessing social media services, do not change providers' current legal responsibilities. Platforms must continue to fulfill their duties as outlined in existing regulations without delay or exemption. Platforms that are likely to be accessed by children must currently complete Children's Access Assessments and, where applicable, identify and assess risks using Ofcom's Children's Register of Risks and Risk Profiles. Services must then implement relevant measures from Ofcom's Codes of Practice or alternative measures that meet the same duties, while maintaining appropriate records. They must also continue assessing risks from illegal activity that could affect children and take steps to address those risks. > Ofcom said announcements about future measures, including plans to prevent under-16s from accessing social media services, do not change providers' current legal responsibilities. Social media platforms and child safety measures ## Future Protections on the Horizon The Government has indicated that some additional protections are expected to come into force from spring 2027. These include a proposed ban on social media services for under-16s, restrictions on harmful functions across other online services, default restrictions for 16- and 17-year-olds on certain harmful features, and a ban on under-18s accessing AI chatbot services primarily offering sexualised content. These measures represent a significant expansion of the existing regulatory framework. Ofcom said it is working with the Government ahead of the changes and will publish a rapid assessment of highly effective age assurance at age 16 in October 2026. It will also consider whether existing guidance and Codes of Practice need to be updated once the new requirements are established. The regulator is taking a proactive approach to ensure smooth implementation of the new measures when they arrive. Digital regulation and online platform compliance ## Enforcement and Compliance Expectations The regulator said it expects full compliance with current duties and will monitor whether services are implementing safety measures effectively. Ofcom's open letter makes clear that platforms cannot use upcoming legislative changes as an excuse to delay or defer their current obligations. The regulator has set a firm tone regarding its supervisory role. > The regulator said it expects full compliance with current duties and will monitor whether services are implementing safety measures effectively. Ofcom warned that it will take enforcement action where platforms fail to comply. The regulator's wider priorities remain improving protections for children, tackling illegal content including hate and terrorism, and protecting women and girls. These priorities will guide both current enforcement activities and future regulatory developments as the online safety landscape continues to evolve. - Online platforms cannot wait for new regulations to fulfill their current legal duties under the Online Safety Act, including completing Children's Access Assessments and implementing safety measures from Ofcom's Codes of Practice. - Age assurance technology will play a crucial role in upcoming regulations, with Ofcom set to publish guidance on effective age verification at age 16 by October 2026. - Ofcom is prepared to take enforcement action against non-compliant services and will continue monitoring platforms to ensure child safety measures are implemented effectively across all online services. ## Sources - [outlining its approach to supervision and compliance](https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/our-approach-to-online-safety-supervision-and-compliance), Ofcom.Org Published by High Intent (High Intent Media Inc). 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