Online Safety Act 2023

The Online Safety Act 2023 makes the internet safer, with specific provisions aimed at protecting women and girls from online abuse. Under the Act, tech companies are required to take action against illegal and harmful content, including image-based abuse, cyberflashing, online stalking, and coercive control—harms that disproportionately affect women. The Act introduces new criminal offences, strengthens enforcement, and obliges platforms to improve reporting systems and safety tools for users.

The Act mandates Ofcom to produce guidance that addresses online harms experienced by women and girls, ensuring platforms proactively tackle gendered abuse. These measures aim to create a safer, more accountable online environment for all users, particularly those at greater risk of harm.

You can find out more about the bill here.