Ofcom Targets 11 Platforms With Scam-Ad Rules, Threatening Fines of £18 Million or 10% Turnover
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 10
Ofcom Targets 11 Platforms With Scam-Ad Rules, Threatening Fines of £18 Million or 10% Turnover
2 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 10
Summary
Ofcom published draft Online Safety Act measures and named 11 Category 1 services — including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube — for the toughest anti-scam-ad duties.
The proposals would require platforms to block fraudulent advertisers, stop banned users reopening accounts, remove reported scam ads quickly and limit how long such content stays live.
More than half of UK adults have seen potentially fraudulent ads online, Ofcom said, and companies that fail to comply once the rules take effect could face fines of £18 million or 10% of global turnover.
A consultation runs until 2 October, while Ofcom is also monitoring iMessage, Messenger, Threads and Wikipedia as possible emerging Category 1 services.
Which? called the move a significant step but said consumers may remain exposed until 2027 at the earliest, as AI makes scams more convincing.
As AI accelerates online fraud, can Ofcom’s new rules protect users before they become obsolete?
Will the UK's threat of 10% turnover fines force a global change in how big tech polices scam ads?
UK’s Online Safety Act: Ofcom’s 40-Point Plan to Tackle Online Scam Ads and Protect Billions in Consumer Losses
Overview
Ofcom has launched a major initiative to tackle the growing problem of online scam ads, unveiling draft rules under the Online Safety Act. These rules aim to hold big online platforms, like social media and search engines, accountable as criminals increasingly use these platforms to target victims. Ofcom outlined nearly 40 practical measures designed to force companies to take strong action against scam ads, remove malicious actors, and better protect users. The new requirements will apply to specific categories of platforms, signaling a clear expectation that tech giants must do more to prevent fraud and safeguard the public.