Which? comments on the news Ofcom is launching an enforcement programme to assess whether tech firms are becoming compliant with the Online Safety Act

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

"Time and time again, our research has found that some of the biggest social media, search engines and online marketplaces are teeming with fraud. It's good to see Ofcom finally holding big tech to account for the criminal activity they're allowing to take place on their sites, the regulator must not hesitate to use its powers to take action against any firms which break the rules. 

"While this first set of duties will require platforms to take action against user-generated fraud, under the current timetable for the Online Safety Act, firms will not be held accountable for much of the fraudulent advertising on their sites until 2027. 

"This is simply not good enough. The Online Safety Act must be implemented in full as soon as possible or the government risks letting millions more fall victim to online fraud."

-ENDS-