Ofcom and the UK government must intensify enforcement against illegal online content
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/profile/editorial. "The Guardian view on policing the internet: Ofcom must push harder on illegal content | Editorial | The Guardian." May 17, 2026. www.theguardian.com
The Gist
The government and Ofcom need to get much tougher with big tech companies about removing illegal content online, especially stuff that hurts kids and vulnerable people. Right now, things that would be crimes in real life are being allowed to happen online, and that's not acceptable.
Conclusion
Ofcom and the UK government must significantly strengthen their efforts to enforce laws against illegal online content, particularly content that harms children and vulnerable people
Premises
- There is an unacceptable gap between offline and online law enforcement, where illegal behavior is tolerated online but would carry criminal penalties offline
- Recent enforcement actions like the £950,000 fine on a suicide forum show progress, but the process remains too slow and tortuous given the harm being caused
- Tech companies are actively resisting regulation through legal challenges and refusal to pay fines, demonstrating the need for stronger government action
- The Online Safety Act contains significant loopholes that make enforcement difficult, such as only requiring search engines to 'minimize risk' rather than prevent access to illegal content
- Critical child protection measures, including plans to prevent exchange of child sexual abuse imagery, are being stalled by political inaction despite detailed Home Office proposals
- The proliferation of child sexual abuse imagery and related arrests represents one of the most disturbing crime trends that demands urgent government response
Assumptions
- Democratic governments have both the right and responsibility to regulate online spaces within their jurisdiction
- The same legal and moral standards that apply offline should apply online
- Protecting children and vulnerable people from harm justifies restrictions on tech company autonomy
- Current enforcement mechanisms are insufficient and require strengthening rather than replacement
- Public safety concerns outweigh potential free speech limitations in cases involving clearly illegal content