Independent report

Researchers’ access to information from regulated services

Report prepared under section 162 of the Online Safety Act 2023 and submitted to the Secretary of State in accordance with section 162(5) of that Act.

• From: Ofcom
• Published: 9 July 2025

Documents

Researchers’ access to information from regulated services: executive summary

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5878-2, E03395491 07/25

Unnumbered act paper

HTML

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Researchers' access to information from regulated online services

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5878-2, E03395491 07/25

Unnumbered act paper

PDF, 1.28 MB, 100 pages

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Researchers' access to information from regulated online services (print-ready)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5878-2, E03395491 07/25

Unnumbered act paper

PDF, 1.3 MB, 100 pages

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Researchers' access to information from regulated online services (large-print)

Ref: ISBN 978-1-5286-5878-2, E03395491 07/25

Unnumbered act paper

PDF, 1.39 MB, 256 pages

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Details

Section 162 of the Online Safety Act 2023 requires Ofcom to produce a report about researchers’ access to information:

• describing how, and to what extent, persons carrying out independent research into online safety matters are currently able to obtain information from providers of regulated services to inform their research,
• exploring the legal and other issues which currently constrain the sharing of information for such purposes
• assessing the extent to which greater access to information for such purposes might be achieved.

Ofcom published this report on 8 July and it has been laid before parliament in accordance with section 162(5) of the Online Safety Act.

Published 9 July 2025