Your Rights to Online Safety
The Online Safety Act 2023 imposes duties on platforms to protect users — especially children — from illegal and harmful content. You have rights to report harmful content, request its removal, and complain to Ofcom if platforms fail to act. Certain online behaviours are also criminal offences, including sending threatening communications, sharing intimate images without consent, and cyberstalking.
Last updated: 2026-03-01
Your Rights
Right to Report Harmful Content
All platforms covered by the Online Safety Act must provide accessible mechanisms for users to report content they believe is illegal or harmful. Platforms must act on reports promptly.
Right to Protection from Cyberflashing
Sending unsolicited sexual images (cyberflashing) is a criminal offence. Victims can report to the police.
Right to Removal of Intimate Images
The non-consensual sharing of intimate images ('revenge porn') is a criminal offence. Platforms must remove such content when reported.
Right to Complain to Ofcom
If a platform fails to comply with its Online Safety Act duties, you can report this to Ofcom, which has enforcement powers including fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global turnover.
Children's Enhanced Protections
Platforms likely to be accessed by children must carry out children's risk assessments and implement age verification or age estimation measures.
Common Myths
The internet is unregulated — there's no law against online abuse.
Multiple criminal offences cover online abuse: threatening/grossly offensive communications (Communications Act 2003 s.127), harassment (Protection from Harassment Act 1997), and new offences under the Online Safety Act 2023.
Platforms can't be held responsible for what users post.
Under the Online Safety Act 2023, platforms have legal duties to prevent, identify, and remove illegal content, and to protect children from harmful content. Failure is enforceable by Ofcom.
What To Do
Report to the Platform
Use the platform's reporting tools. Under the Online Safety Act, platforms must provide accessible reporting mechanisms and respond to reports.
Report Criminal Conduct to Police
If you have received threats, been subjected to harassment, or had intimate images shared without consent, report to the police (dial 101 or report online). For emergencies, call 999.
Report to Ofcom
If a platform fails to act on your report or is not meeting its Online Safety Act duties, you can report this to Ofcom at ofcom.org.uk.
Key Legislation
- Online Safety Act 2023
- Communications Act 2003
- Computer Misuse Act 1990
- Protection from Harassment Act 1997
- Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015
Useful Contacts
Frequently asked questions
- Can I report harmful content on social media platforms?
- Under the Online Safety Act 2023, platforms must provide accessible mechanisms for users to report content they believe is illegal or harmful. You have the right to use these tools, and platforms are legally required to act on your reports promptly. If a platform fails to provide these mechanisms or does not respond to your report, you can escalate the issue to Ofcom.
- What are my rights if someone shares my intimate images without consent?
- Yes, the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, often called 'revenge porn', is a criminal offence under the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015. Additionally, the Online Safety Act 2023 requires platforms to remove such content when it is reported. Victims can also seek support from the Revenge Porn Helpline or report the criminal conduct to the police.
- What can I do if a platform ignores my report?
- If a platform fails to comply with its duties under the Online Safety Act 2023, you can report this to Ofcom. Ofcom has enforcement powers and can impose fines of up to £18 million or 10% of the platform's global turnover. You can make this report via ofcom.org.uk if the platform has not acted on your initial complaint.
- How are children protected from harmful online content?
- Platforms that are likely to be accessed by children must carry out specific children's risk assessments. They are also required to implement age verification or age estimation measures to protect young users from harmful content. These enhanced protections are mandated under the Online Safety Act 2023 to ensure a safer online environment for minors.
- Is sending unsolicited sexual images a crime?
- Yes, sending unsolicited sexual images, known as cyberflashing, is a criminal offence. This was introduced by the Online Safety Act 2023, which inserted a new section into the Sexual Offences Act 2003. If you are a victim of cyberflashing, you can report the incident to the police for investigation.