UK Expands Online Safety Act Reach: Ofcom Crisis Protocols Target 'Illegal' Content Spikes Amid Belfast Unrest

The UK's Online Safety Act 2023, originally promoted primarily as a child-protection framework, is being actively deployed to address content during civil unrest, with regulators invoking new crisis-response measures. On June 10, 2026, Ofcom issued an open letter to online service providers reminding them of duties to mitigate risks of illegal content—such as stirring up hatred or provoking violence—following a knife attack in Belfast that triggered protests involving arson, racially motivated incidents, and attacks on police. The letter explicitly notes that some unrest 'appears to have been incited online' and references prior crises where rapid increases in illegal content correlated with real-world violence.

Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn reinforced this on Times Radio, stating that 'false information' online during 'times of crisis' is unacceptable and may constitute a criminal offence, with the definition of crisis 'to be set out in due course.' This aligns with Ofcom's June 9 update to its codes of practice, requiring platforms to implement protocols for spikes in illegal content during crises, including faster moderation and dedicated police communication channels. These measures are framed around existing legal offences but operate under the Act's risk-assessment and enforcement regime, which carries fines up to 10% of global revenue.

Critics highlight the Act's broadening application beyond minors to adult speech and public order events, echoing patterns seen in the 2024 Southport riots where misinformation spread online. While Ofcom emphasizes illegal content only, the vague crisis trigger and ministerial discretion raise concerns about free speech boundaries, as platforms preemptively enhance moderation to avoid liability. Official sources confirm immediate action expectations without awaiting full parliamentary codification.