UK OSA Section 12(9)-(10), Ofcom Children's Safety Codes of Practice
Assess and mitigate the risk that algorithmic systems including recommendations, auto-play, and trending features amplify harmful content to children
Where this comes from
Provision: Section 12(9)-(10), Ofcom Children's Safety Codes of Practice
Instrument: UK Online Safety Act 2023
Citation: Online Safety Act 2023, c. 50, Section 12(9)-(10); Ofcom Children's Safety Codes of Practice (December 2024), Chapter 7 (Algorithms and recommendation systems)
Text version: Online Safety Act 2023 c. 50, as enacted (legislation.gov.uk)
Who it applies to
Children in scope — all of these:
- Service is likely to be accessed by children under 18
Content-shaping algorithm in use — any one of these:
- Service uses recommendation algorithms
- Service uses content personalization
What engineering work it implies
Sample acceptance criteria Landfall generates for this obligation:
- Assessment methodology is documented
- Assessment is completed and findings recorded
- Remediation plan created for identified risks
- Assessment is reviewed and signed off
- Assessment report is complete
Questions people ask
- Does UK OSA Section 12(9)-(10), Ofcom Children's Safety Codes of Practice apply to my service?
- It applies when Service is likely to be accessed by children under 18; and at least one of: Service uses recommendation algorithms; Service uses content personalization.
- From when does this apply?
- UK OSA Section 12(9)-(10), Ofcom Children's Safety Codes of Practice applies from 16 December 2024. Its current status is: in force.
Find out whether this one lands on you
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Not legal advice. Landfall maps regulatory obligations to engineering work for planning purposes. Its verdicts are not legal advice and create no attorney-client relationship — verify with qualified counsel before relying on them.