Liz Kendall Warns Ofcom of Eroding Public Trust Over Online Safety

In a recent statement, UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall expressed her concerns regarding the public's trust in Ofcom, the nation’s internet regulator. She warned that the agency risks losing credibility if it does not actively utilize its powers to address online harms effectively.

During a meeting last week, Kendall conveyed her dissatisfaction to Ofcom’s Chief Executive, Melanie Dawes, regarding the slow implementation of the Online Safety Act. This legislation aims to safeguard the public from various dangers posed by online platforms, including social media and adult content websites. Kendall's remarks highlighted a pressing issue: the perceived lethargy in Ofcom's enforcement efforts.

Ofcom has responded to these concerns by stating that the delays in enforcement are due to factors outside their control, asserting that “change is happening.” However, Kendall emphasized the importance of timely action, stating to 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.”

Adding weight to her concerns, Kendall reflected on the tragic case of Molly Russell, a 14-year-old who took her own life after being exposed to harmful online content. The girl's father has publicly voiced his lack of trust in Ofcom’s leadership, raising alarm over the efficacy of the regulator in protecting vulnerable users.

Kendall's unease is compounded by the fact that significant portions of the online safety regulations are not anticipated to be operational until mid-2027—almost four years after the Online Safety Act was enacted. This delay raises concerns about the accelerating pace of technology, which could outstrip the government's ability to impose necessary safeguards.

One of Kendall's primary worries is the impact of AI chatbots on children and adolescents, especially given recent instances in the United States where teenagers, deeply engaged with services like ChatGPT and Character.AI, have tragically taken their lives after viewing these bots as confidants. Her statement underscores a critical gap in the current legislation: “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,” she remarked. “People have got to feel their kids are safe.”

As Ofcom grapples with these challenges, Michael Grade, the chairman of the regulator, is set to resign in April, leading to a search for his successor. Dawes, who has served as chief executive for nearly six years, will continue in her role during this transitional period. Ofcom declined to provide additional comments on the situation.

In a related development, Ofcom recently imposed a £50,000 fine on a nudify app for failing to prevent children from accessing pornography. These nudify apps utilize artificial intelligence to alter and “undress” uploaded photographs, raising significant concerns about child safety online. Kendall praised Ofcom for its efforts, stating that the regulator was “rightly pressing forward.” This fine marks the second enforcement action taken by Ofcom since the Online Safety Act became law more than two years ago.

Kendall was speaking in Cardiff during the launch of a new AI “growth zone”, an initiative the government hopes will draw in £10 billion in investments and generate around 5,000 jobs across various sites, including the Ford Bridgend engine plant and Newport. The government has indicated that tech giant Microsoft is collaborating on this initiative, although Microsoft has clarified that it is not committing to new investments at this time.

Additionally, the UK government aims to allocate £100 million to support British startups, particularly those focusing on the development of AI chips, an area where officials believe the UK holds a competitive edge.

As the landscape of online safety evolves, the need for robust regulatory oversight has never been more crucial. With rising concerns about online harms and the influence of AI technologies, it is imperative for Ofcom to act decisively to rebuild public trust. The coming months will be pivotal as the regulator navigates these challenges while ensuring that the safety of the public, especially children, remains a top priority.