Is the forum covered by the new Online Safety Act?

[arealhuman]

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A shining example of a new law introduced by those who have little understanding how the internet works, but is the forum covered? It might well be, despite it being low risk in the context of the act. Full details in the article here, including a link to an online checker to see if you're covered.

 

[JudyN]

Thanks for that, areahuman - I'll have a read later and pass it on to admin if necessary. If I don't respond within a couple of days, remind me because I might have forgotten!

 

[JoanneF]

Thank you @arealhuman

From a quick read through, it appears the forum needs to do the risk assessment, put measures in place to mitigate any risk, and although we are not obliged to publish; it we need have it available for Ofcom if requested. As we have (I think) fewer than 7 million active monthly users, around 14 of the 40 protection measures will apply.

 

[JudyN]

From what I've read so far, we do need to comply, but they haven't yet published a planned tool to help us do that... I've found a guide for preparing a risk assessment though: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/siteassets...sment-guidance-and-risk-profiles.pdf?v=388598 There's plans to release a riskassessment template here: Neil Brown (@neil@mastodon.neilzone.co.uk) (linked to what looks like a reputable site: Online Safety Act 2023 (UK) - IFTAS Connect).

 

[JoanneF]

We have alerted the site owners, thank you again @arealhuman for making us aware - they may already know and be on it, but this makes sure.

 

[arealhuman]

It's insane that a law like this applies to smaller forums that don't have the type of issues it seeks to address.

 

[JudyN]

It's insane that a law like this applies to smaller forums that don't have the type of issues it seeks to address.

Tell me about it... I'm admin on another forum so need to do something about this. The forum's extemely quiet nowadays and I'm debating whether it's worth the hassle. If I get it wrong, I could be liable for a fine of up to £18,000,000

 

[Hemlock]

Good grief! No good deed goes unpunished!