UK Online Safety Act: Small Forums Face Big Compliance Headaches
The UK’s Online Safety Act is giving small online forums a headache bigger than trying to assemble flat-pack furniture without instructions. With penalties that could make a dragon’s hoard look like pocket change, even niche forums must comply with rigorous safety requirements. It’s a comedy of errors for forums that have never seen any “online harms.”
Hot Take:
**_The UK’s Online Safety Act is like trying to swat a fly with a sledgehammer. Small online forums are bracing for impact, and they’re not exactly thrilled about trading their hobbyist chaos for compliance chaos._**
Key Points:
– The Online Safety Act applies to both large platforms and tiny niche forums, causing a stir among smaller online communities.
– Non-compliance with the Act could result in staggering fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue.
– Smaller forums, like the cycling forum LFGSS, feel overwhelmed by the Act’s broad language and extensive requirements.
– Ofcom requires a detailed risk assessment from all affected platforms, even those with minimal risk of harmful content.
– Despite the Act’s intentions, many small platforms have never encountered the harmful activities it aims to prevent.