Which? comments ahead of new duties to prevent user-generated fraud under the Online Safety Act coming into effect on 17th March

Rocio Concha, Which? Director of Policy and Advocacy, said: 

"Time and time again, our research has found that consumers face a flood of scam content online, so it's positive that platforms will need to do more to stop user-generated fraud on their sites. Ofcom must ensure firms take their responsibilities seriously and should not hesitate to use its powers to take action against any companies that break the rules.

"However, these new rules do not extend to other prevalent scams, such as many paid-for fraudulent ads. Under the current timetable for the Online Safety Act, firms in scope of the fraudulent advertising duties in the Act will not be held accountable for breach of those duties until 2027. 

"This is simply not good enough and leaves consumers unnecessarily exposed to countless scam ads. The Online Safety Act must be implemented in full as soon as possible or the government risks letting millions more fall victim to ruthless online fraudsters."

-ENDS-