The Online Safety Bill (OSB) is a complex and wide-ranging piece of legislation that will impact over 25,000 companies operating in the UK. The Bill aims to balance safety and freedom of expression while promoting innovation in the UK’s digital economy and is a milestone for the Government’s digital agenda and the regulation of the online world. Other jurisdictions globally are developing similar laws such as the EU’s Digital Services Act, creating a potentially complex set of obligations for international operators.
The complexity of the Bill and a lack of clarity around scope and definitions has made it difficult for companies to begin preparing for compliance. As it stands, much of the detail will be developed in secondary legislation and in codes of conduct developed by the regulator, Ofcom.
With the Bill mid-way through the legislative process and with MPs due to vote on the Bill in July, techUK and Linklaters are hosting this panel discussion to explore the ambiguity in the Bill, the obligations for in-scope services, and shed some light on what companies should be doing now to prepare for when the Bill comes into force.
Panellists will give views from a legal perspective on the scope and duties of the Bill, as well as from a business perspective on the costs and potential impacts on the UK’s digital economy. We are also delighted to be joined by a representative of the regulator for the Bill, Ofcom.
Speakers
- Richard Wronka, Director Online Safety, Ofcom
- Ben Packer, Partner, Linklaters
- Charlotte Yarrow QC, Child Safety Counsel, Apple
- Andrew Bennett, Policy Principal, Form Ventures
- Antony Walker, Dep. CEO, techUK (Chair)
This panel is being held in person at techUK, 10 St Bride Street, London EC4A 4AD. It will also be livestreamed.
