The Online Safety Act 2023 (Commencement No. 6) Regulations 2025
These regulations bring into force section 210 of the Online Safety Act 2023 on July 25, 2025.
This section repeals Part 4B of the Communications Act 2003, ending a transition period that began in January 2024.
The change puts video-sharing platforms under the Online Safety Act's updated duties of care.
The regulations apply across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
A full impact assessment is available.
Arguments For
Improved Online Safety: The repeal of the outdated Part 4B of the Communications Act 2003 and the full implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023 aim to create a safer online environment by consolidating and strengthening the regulatory framework for online safety.
Enhanced Regulatory Consistency: The transition period, beginning in January 2024, allowed for a smoother shift to the Online Safety Act 2023's provisions. The present regulations finalize this process, creating consistency and avoiding regulatory ambiguity.
Modernized Legal Framework: The Online Safety Act 2023 represents a more comprehensive and adaptable legal framework tailored to the specifics and challenges of the modern digital landscape, relative to the older Communications Act 2003.
Clearer Duties of Care for Platforms: With the repeal of the older regulations, video-sharing platforms will be subject to the clearer and more specific duties of care outlined in Part 3 of the Online Safety Act 2023, improving accountability.
Arguments Against
Unintended Consequences: Consolidation of regulations may unintentionally lead to over-regulation or create new challenges for online platforms, potentially stifling innovation or leading to unexpected limitations on free speech. Further monitoring and evaluation are needed.
Implementation Challenges: The transition and full implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023 may have presented unexpected difficulties for online services, requiring adaptation of existing systems and procedures. The potential for increased administrative burdens on companies should be assessed.
Impact on Small Businesses: Increased regulatory obligations could disproportionately impact smaller online businesses, potentially forcing some to cease operations or significantly restrict their activities.
Lack of Flexibility: A centralized and rigid regulatory framework might prove less adaptable to evolving technologies and online behaviors due to the fast-changing nature of the internet.
- Citation and extent (1) These Regulations may be cited as the Online Safety Act 2023 (Commencement No. 6) Regulations 2025. (2) These Regulations extend to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
This section establishes the title and geographical scope of the regulations.
The regulations are officially named "Online Safety Act 2023 (Commencement No. 6) Regulations 2025".
They apply to all four nations of the UK: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
- Provisions coming into force on 25th July 2025 Section 210 of the Online Safety Act 2023 (repeal of Part 4B of the Communications Act 2003[2]) comes into force on 25th July 2025.
This section specifies that Section 210 of the Online Safety Act 2023 will become effective on July 25, 2025.
Section 210 repeals Part 4B of the Communications Act 2003, which previously regulated video-sharing platforms.
Explanatory Note (This note is not part of the Regulations) These Regulations are the sixth commencement regulations made under the Online Safety Act 2023 (c. 50) (“the 2023 Act”). They bring into force section 210 of the 2023 Act, which repeals the video-sharing platform regulatory regime under Part 4B of the Communications Act 2003 (c. 21) (“the 2003 Act”). Services known as “pre-existing Part 4B services” (defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 17 to the 2023 Act) have been regulated under both the 2003 Act and the 2023 Act since entering a transition period on 10th January 2024. Detailed transitional arrangements are provided for in Schedule 17 to the 2023 Act. These Regulations mark the end of the transition period. From 25th July 2025, pre-existing Part 4B services will be regulated wholly under the 2023 Act and will be subject to each of the relevant duties of care specified in Part 3 of the 2023 Act. A full impact assessment has been published in relation to the 2023 Act and copies can be obtained from the UK Government website at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-enactment-impact-assessment or from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology at 100 Parliament Street, London, SW1A 2BQ, United Kingdom.
This explanatory note provides context and background information.
It explains that these regulations are the sixth set of commencement regulations under the Online Safety Act 2023.
It clarifies that the regulations end a transition period, moving video-sharing platforms exclusively under the 2023 Act's provisions and duties of care, starting July 25, 2025.
The note also directs readers to a full impact assessment of the 2023 Act available online.
NOTE AS TO EARLIER COMMENCEMENT Regulations (This note is not part of the Regulations) The following provisions of the Online Safety Act 2023 have been brought into force, or are being brought into force, by commencement Regulations made before the date of these Regulations. On the date these Regulations are made, the commencement date of provisions marked * has not been reached. [Table listing sections of the Online Safety Act 2023 and their commencement dates]
This note lists previous commencement regulations for the Online Safety Act 2023 specifying which sections were brought into force on what dates.
It’s a reference section providing broader context on the phased implementation of the Online Safety Act 2023.