Ofcom

📺 New requirements to make streaming services more accessible. While TV broadcasters have been required to make their programmes accessible for many years, streaming services haven’t had the same obligations. To ensure disabled people aren’t left behind, the Media Act introduced new accessibility requirements for the largest streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+. This includes quotas for subtitling, audio description and signing - services that millions of people in the UK rely on. We've now published our draft Accessibility Code, setting out how services must meet their new duties. 📣 We want to hear from people affected by these changes. Have your say by responding to the consultation at the link in our bio. [Image description. 1: White and black text on a purple background that says 'Making streaming more accessible. Our proposals for major streaming platforms on how they must better support disabled audiences.' Image of two people signing on a TV set. 2: Text on a purple background that reads: 'What will they have to do? Under the Media Act, major streaming services must ensure that as a minimum... 80% of their catalogue is subtitled. 10% includes audio description. 5% includes signing. This brings streaming in line with TV accessibility standards. 3: Image of a family sitting watching TV on a sofa with their cat. Text that says: 'Services must also meet their obligations to keep audiences informed about their accessibility features, and report annually on their quality and usability.' 4: Image of a woman and her dog in the living room by a TV set, text says: 'Have your say. These changes will shape how disabled people in the UK access TV and film. We're consulting now, and you can share your views.']

Due to its nature, we have decided not to name the forum or its provider. Despite making changes to block UK users, it is still accessible here without a VPN. Services that are in scope of the Online Safety Act must comply with UK online safety laws. This case has been deeply important to families who have lost loved ones - and we are using the full extent of our powers to protect people from serious harm. If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available from charities including @SamaritansCharity @CALMzone @Papyrus_UK

We’ve all been there...Here are some steps you can take to help keep your relatives safe from scams ⚠️

This week, elections take place across England, Scotland and Wales. In the run-up to an election, TV and radio broadcasters must comply with the rules on due impartiality and accuracy. These are especially important as voters prepare to head to the polls. Swipe to find out more about the rules and how we enforce them 👉

We're investigating Telegram, Teen Chat and Chat Avenue after evidence suggests child sexual abuse material being shared on Telegram and predators using teen chat sites to groom children. Protecting children online is one of our highest priorities, and we work closely with child protection agencies, law enforcement and other organisations to help make sure platforms are meeting their legal responsibilities. Companies that fail to act face serious consequences under the Online Safety Act.

As elections take place nationwide this May, many teens will be seeing more political content online. Making sense of it together can really help them build critical thinking skills.   Ofcom’s latest research found that more than half of social media users (56%) say they have come across misleading or false news in the past year. The most common type identified was political or electoral.   Parent Zone’s ‘Informed Voices’ programme helps support young people to navigate online content related to elections.   👉 Swipe to see some habits you can pick up with your teen to help them spot fake news.

Do you use AI as a companion? 🤖 💬 In our new research, some people reported using AI tools like ChatGPT, Copilot or Gemini for conversation. Some people interact with AI as if it were a person, and draw on it for reassurance and advice. We publish this research in line with our duty to promote and research media literacy. ➡️ Find out more

📣 We’ve fined 4chan £450,000 for failing to put age checks in place to stop children from accessing pornography on its site. We’ve also fined 4chan £50,000 for not assessing the risk of illegal material appearing on its platform, and £20,000 for not explaining in its terms of service how it protects people from criminal content. Last year, the Children’s Commissioner found that 59% of children had accidentally come across pornography without searching for it. Data shows that nearly 80% of the top 100 pornography sites in the UK now have age checks in place, following the introduction of online safety rules. The UK is setting new standards for online safety. Age checks are essential for protecting children online, and we’ll take action against companies that fall short.

Watch and join our CEO Melanie Dawes as she visits @nspcc_official and @childline_official to speak to senior leaders and helpline counsellors about building a safer life online for children. This comes after we announced a set of clear demands for the sites and apps most popular with children to take further action to help better protect them online.

📢 We've set out four clear demands for major platforms, urging them to commit to changes to better protect children online. While there are many examples of progress, the tech industry has not done enough. Parents have lost trust in tech companies’ ability to keep their children safe online. There is a gap between what tech companies have promised in private, and what they’re doing to keep children safe on their platforms. That's why we're holding them publicly accountable. ➡️ Find out more.

Don’t pay more than you need to for mobile or broadband. 💷 If you receive certain benefits you could be eligible for a social tariff. These are cheaper packages and 70% of eligible households don’t know they exist. Share with friends and family for cheaper deals today.

This weekend there’ll be lots of social media posts about International Women’s Day 💬📱 Women and girls deserve to participate online without fear of harm or abuse. But from pile-ons to intimate image abuse, they face serious and disproportionate risks online. This International Women’s Day, we urge tech companies to adopt the practical, effective safety measures we've set out in our guidance to tackle online misogynistic abuse, pile-ons, stalking and intimate image abuse. We expect tech firms to test new services or features before they roll them out, to identify from the outset how they might be misused. Companies are also expected to consult with experts to design policies and safety features that work for women and girls, and to continually listen to and learn from survivors’ and victims’ lived experiences.