UK Investigates Forum Discussing Suicide Methods
LONDON (AFP) – The UK’s communications regulator, Ofcom, announced on Wednesday that it is investigating an online forum discussing suicide methods, as part of new legislation imposing further responsibilities on platforms.
Investigation into Dangerous Online Content
On April 9, 2025, Ofcom disclosed that it had launched an investigation into a forum related to methods of suicide. While Ofcom did not reveal the forum’s name, the BBC, which investigated the site in 2023, reported that the platform is associated with 50 deaths in the UK and has tens of thousands of users worldwide, including minors.
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Forum Linked to Multiple Deaths
The BBC’s investigation indicated that the forum, based in the United States, offers users various harmful advice, including how to acquire deadly chemicals. Despite attempts to initiate a dialogue with the service provider, Ofcom reported receiving unsatisfactory responses regarding the platform’s measures to protect UK users from illegal content.
Legal Action Under New Online Safety Laws
The regulator has now opened an official investigation to assess whether the forum’s provider is in compliance with UK law. This investigation follows the adoption of the Online Safety Act in 2023, which introduced new requirements for platforms to safeguard users, particularly minors. Ofcom has the authority to enforce penalties against platforms that violate these obligations, potentially issuing fines up to £18 million (about $23 million) or 10% of their global revenue.
Focus on protecting vulnerable users
The Online Safety Act parallels the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) and reflects increasing concerns about harmful online content. Ofcom is empowered under this law to take action against non-compliant platforms, which could lead to significant fines if they fail to adequately protect users from harmful and illegal content.
This article is originally published on: rfi
