Implementation and enforcement of the Online Safety Act: letter from DSIT Secretary of State to Ofcom
Published 27 October 2025
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The Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
22-26 Whitehall
London
SW1A 2EG
27 October 2025
Dear Dame Melanie,
It was good to meet you to discuss the critical importance of the Online Safety Act. One of my top priorities as DSIT Secretary of State is to protect children, tackle illegal content and facilitate effective and responsible compliance from service providers. I recognise that good progress has been made, notably implementing the illegal harms and child safety duties. However, it is imperative that the Act is now implemented in its entirety as quickly as possible, with a long-term plan for effective enforcement across all aspects of the Act and with services of all sizes.
To that end I am writing to follow up on the points that we recently discussed regarding the swift implementation of the Act and the broader regime.
Additional duties on categorised services
I know that Ofcom is currently considering its processes and decision making following the judgement in the Wikimedia judicial review. In order to avoid or minimise any delays as a result, you agreed to consider whether the consultation on some particular duties could be expedited - in the same way that Ofcom has brought forward its consultation on duties relating to the disclosure of information about the use of a service by deceased child users. I would be grateful for your assessment of this as soon as possible; as you know, I am keen that Ofcom avoids delays in implementing the Act.
Fees regime
It is vital for the Act that the fee regime is implemented effectively and in a way that does not put any undue burdens on safe and responsible services which make a valuable contribution to the UK economy.
As I made clear during our meeting, with the government’s priority being to support economic growth, I ask you to provide details of whether there are any additional mitigations that could be explored – including the timetable for any further consultation required – to better target the fee regime. I would welcome a response as soon as possible. My officials are available to discuss if helpful.
As you know, under the Act, I have a duty to keep the fees threshold figure under review. Once the threshold is in force, I intend to review the threshold following the initial charging year to understand its impact on services. I would appreciate Ofcom’s engagement in this process.
Tackling antisemitism
We also discussed the ongoing proliferation of hate speech and hate-related content online, including antisemitism. As the Prime Minister said in his statement responding to the horrific terrorist attack at a synagogue in Manchester on 2 October 2025, Jewish people face a daily threat of antisemitic hatred, which is rising once again, and must be defeated.
The government’s Statement of Strategic Priorities for Online Safety noted that content capable of sowing division and inciting real-world violence such as hate speech spreads too frequently with alarming reach and speed. It also set out a priority that small but risky services, including hate forums, be regulated effectively. The government asked Ofcom to continue focusing its efforts on safety improvements among services that pose the highest risk of harm to users, such as those that exist purely to fuel hate and division, often spreading disturbing racist content. In the light of recent events I am requesting an urgent and comprehensive update on how Ofcom is using its levers, in line with existing legislation and forthcoming duties, to tackle antisemitic content online and hate speech more widely – particularly regarding the enforcement action Ofcom is taking and where we could explore going further.
Indeed, I want to work together to ensure we have collectively explored all options under the Act to protect UK users from this egregious, divisive and hateful content. I look forward to hearing from you shortly.
Yours sincerely
The Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology