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Updates to the Online Safety Act’s illegal content Code of Practice
01 June 2026
Type
Written Ministerial Statement
Department
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
At a Glance
Issue Summary
The statement discusses an amendment to Ofcom’s Codes of Practice for the illegal content duties, which introduces hash-matching technologies to strengthen protections against non-consensual intimate image abuse.
Action Requested
The minister is laying before Parliament an amendment to Ofcom’s Codes of Practice, introducing perceptual hash-matching technologies to prevent the re-uploading and circulation of known non-consensual intimate images. If not objected by either House of Parliament, these measures will be issued and applied within 21 calendar days.
Key Facts
- The amendment sets a legal expectation for relevant services to use hash-matching technologies or equivalent tools.
- Ofcom submitted an amendment to its Codes of Practice in March 2025.
- Once the amended codes are issued, updated measures will apply from 21 calendar days after issuance.
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