Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has issued a stark warning to the UK's internet regulator, Ofcom, stating it risks losing public trust if it fails to fully utilise its powers to tackle online harms.
Frustration Over Enforcement Delays
Kendall revealed she expressed deep disappointment to Ofcom's chief executive, Melanie Dawes, last week over the slow pace of enforcing the Online Safety Act. This landmark legislation is designed to protect the public from dangers on platforms ranging from social media to pornography sites.
While Ofcom insists the delays are beyond its control and that "change is happening," Kendall told The Guardian: "They know that if they don't implement [and] use the powers that they've got in the act, they will lose the trust of the public."
This concern was echoed by the father of Molly Russell, the 14-year-old who took her own life after viewing harmful online content, who said he had lost faith in the watchdog's leadership. When questioned directly, Kendall notably declined to express her own confidence in Ofcom's leadership.
The Rising Threat of AI and Technological Change
A central worry is the speed of technological advancement, which threatens to outpace regulatory safeguards. Parts of the online safety regime are not expected to be fully active until mid-2027—nearly four years after the Act became law.
Kendall highlighted a specific and growing concern: "I am now really worried about AI chatbots and the impact they're having on children and young people."
This fear is underscored by tragic cases in the US, where lawsuits involve teenagers who died by suicide after forming intense relationships with AI chatbots from platforms like ChatGPT and Character.AI, which they treated as confidants and advisers.
Kendall emphasised the urgency, stating: "If chatbots aren't included or properly covered by the legislation, and we're really working through that now, then they will have to be. People have got to feel their kids are safe."
Regulatory Action and Leadership Changes
The warning comes amid a period of potential change at the top of Ofcom, with its chair, Michael Grade, set to step down in April. Melanie Dawes, a career civil servant, has served as chief executive for nearly six years. Ofcom declined to comment on the minister's statements.
In a recent enforcement action, the watchdog fined a so-called "nudify" app £50,000 for failing to protect children from accessing pornography. These apps use artificial intelligence to digitally "undress" people in uploaded photos. Kendall acknowledged this move, saying Ofcom was "rightly pressing forward." This was only the second fine issued under the Act since it became law over two years ago.
Separately, the minister was in Cardiff to launch a new AI "growth zone," a government initiative aiming to attract £10bn in investment and create 5,000 jobs. Ministers also plan to use £100m to back British startups, particularly in AI chip design, where the UK believes it has a competitive advantage.
In the UK, the youth suicide charity Papyrus can be contacted on 0800 068 4141 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org, and in the UK and Ireland Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie.
