UK regulator Ofcom has announced proposals that would require major online platforms to ban scam advertisers and prevent them from creating new accounts, as part of a new phase of implementing the Online Safety Act.
Key facts
- Ofcom announced proposals under a new phase of implementing the Online Safety Act.
- Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, X and YouTube would be required to block scam advertisers.
- Platforms would have to prevent banned bad actors from creating new accounts.
- Measures include reducing the risk of accounts being hijacked for scams.
- The requirements are targeted at the biggest online services.
Big tech platforms will be required to ban scam advertisers in the UK under proposals designed to tackle online fraud, according to the Guardian. The measures were announced by the regulator Ofcom as part of a new phase of implementing the Online Safety Act.
Under the plans, major services including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, X and YouTube would have to block bad actors who post fraudulent ads. The proposals would also require these platforms to prevent such advertisers from creating new accounts once they have been removed.
The Guardian reports that the range of potential measures announced by Ofcom also includes reducing the risk of accounts being hijacked for scams. Account takeovers are a common tactic used by fraudsters to reach new victims and lend credibility to deceptive content.
The requirements are targeted at the biggest online services, reflecting the scale of activity on the largest platforms and their reach among UK users. The named companies operate some of the most widely used social media and video services in the country.
The proposals form part of the ongoing rollout of the Online Safety Act, which sets out obligations for online platforms operating in the UK. Ofcom is the regulator responsible for overseeing and enforcing the rules introduced under the act.
The Guardian’s coverage frames the announcement as one element of a broader package of measures aimed at combating fraud carried out through online advertising and hijacked accounts.
Why it matters
Online fraud affects large numbers of people who encounter scams through advertising and compromised accounts on popular platforms. Placing responsibility on the biggest tech companies to block scam advertisers and prevent them returning could reduce the reach of fraudsters and shape how the Online Safety Act is enforced in practice.
Frequently asked questions
Which platforms would be affected by the proposals?
According to the Guardian, the measures would apply to major services including Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, X and YouTube, and are targeted at the biggest online services.
What would platforms be required to do?
They would have to block bad actors who post fraudulent ads and prevent them from creating new accounts. The measures also include reducing the risk of accounts being hijacked for scams.
Who is behind the proposals?
The proposals were announced by the UK regulator Ofcom as part of a new phase of implementing the Online Safety Act.