The Online Safety Act, 2023 (the Act) significantly changed the digital landscape. For defamation lawyers like us the Act raised questions about how it might affect different defamation legal issues. The changes brought in by the Act are intended to improve online safety for the public and to ensure accountability for online service providers and social media platforms.
The Act is a ground-breaking piece of legislation that aims to address the problems associated with harmful online content. It attempts to shield internet users—children in particular—from various online dangers like exposure to offensive content, harassment, and cyberbullying. The Act imposes legal obligations on online service providers and social media companies to protect their users’ privacy and take down offensive and illegal content as soon as possible.
Online defamation has long been a problem, including slander (spoken defamation) and libel (written defamation). Because social media platforms are so widely used and information can be shared so easily online, people’s reputations can be seriously harmed by false statements that spread quickly. The prevalence of online defamation has made it more difficult for traditional legal frameworks to effectively prevent and address this kind of harm.
The Online Safety Act contains several provisions that we think could impact defamation cases. These include:
The passing of the Act is a major step in the direction of establishing a safer online environment. The Act’s provisions affect defamation laws even though its main goal is to combat harmful content. Online platforms must adjust to the new regulatory environment and make sure they have strong mechanisms in place to deal with cases of defamation. The Act is anticipated to have a significant impact on defamation laws in the digital age due to OFCOM’s oversight and the possibility of heavy fines for noncompliance.
The team of skilled legal professionals at Nath Solicitors is here to assist you and provide guidance when you find yourself navigating the complexities of defamation laws and eth Online Safety Act. Whether you are a social media platform trying to ensure compliance with the new regulations or an individual dealing with defamatory content online, we are ready to offer expert advice and support. Do not hesitate to get in touch with us. Contact us on 44 (0) 203 983 8278 or get in touch with the firm online.