What the Online Safety Act Means for Your Business.
On 11 August 2025, the High Court rejected a legal challenge from the Wikimedia Foundation, the organisation behind Wikipedia, against certain regulations under the UK’s Online Safety Act. Wikimedia argued that being forced to verify user identities and comply with the most stringent Ofcom rules would threaten its open-editing model and infringe on free expression. The Court disagreed, ruling that Parliament has the authority to impose these measures in the name of online safety.
Why this matters beyond Wikipedia
While the spotlight has been on Wikipedia, the judgment has wider implications for any business operating an online platform or digital service in the UK.
The Online Safety Act gives Ofcom the power to categorise services and impose obligations such as:
- User identity verification systems
- Rapid removal of harmful or illegal content
- Stronger moderation procedures and reporting tools
- Risk assessments on how a platform could be used to cause harm
These rules are not limited to social media giants. They can apply to any platform meeting the criteria, including community forums, e-commerce platforms with user reviews, and apps with interactive features.
The commercial impact
For businesses, this case serves as a reminder that regulatory compliance is a constantly evolving target.
- Operational costs: Implementing new verification systems and moderation tools can be expensive.
- Contractual changes: You may need to update your terms of service, privacy policies, and supplier agreements.
- Risk exposure: Non-compliance can result in substantial fines and reputational damage.
Steps businesses should take now
- Assess whether your service could be caught. Review your platform’s features against Ofcom’s categorisation criteria.
- Update your policies. Ensure your terms and moderation policies reflect the new legal requirements.
- Review supplier and technology contracts. Check that service providers can meet new compliance obligations.
- Plan for scalability. If your business evolves into a higher-risk category, you should be prepared to adapt quickly.
How KMC Legal Can Help
Our commercial law team advises UK businesses on navigating new regulatory frameworks, from drafting compliant contracts to conducting risk audits. If the Online Safety Act could impact your platform or digital service, now is the time to prepare.
Contact us today to protect your business from unnecessary risk and ensure you remain compliant in a rapidly changing legal landscape. legal compliance legal compliance
