Ofcom has announced it will not pursue further legal action against a pro-suicide website, citing that it has reached the limit of its powers under the Online Safety Act. The regulator stated that the forum has implemented a geoblock, preventing most users in the UK from accessing the site, though it acknowledged that individuals could still bypass this restriction using a VPN.
The decision follows a months-long investigation into the platform, which has been associated by campaigners with more than 130 deaths in the UK. In May, the regulator imposed a £950,000 fine on the site for failing to protect users from illegal content, a penalty that remains unpaid. Suzanne Cater, Ofcom's enforcement director, stated that the agency has utilized its powers to the "fullest extent possible" and will continue to monitor the site to ensure the geoblock remains active.
The announcement has drawn sharp criticism from safety advocates. Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, described the move as a failure that would "result in more lost lives." Similarly, the charity Samaritans expressed extreme disappointment, with policy director Sarah Ruane questioning whether the Online Safety Act is "fit for purpose" given the lack of meaningful intervention against harmful online platforms.
Ofcom officials noted that they are currently collaborating with the government to determine if enforcement powers, particularly regarding court-ordered website blocking by internet service providers, should be strengthened. The regulator denied that the timing of the announcement was linked to political events, stating that the decision was finalized after months of exhaustive legal review.
Source: BBC News
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