Ofcom: New Safety Requirements for Dating and Social Apps
The UK communications regulator Ofcom has published guidance for dating and social discovery platforms on complying with the Online Safety Act. Under the legislation, online services that allow users to interact, share content, or communicate with one another may fall within the scope of the Act if they have links to the UK. This includes many dating and social discovery apps where users create profiles, exchange messages, share media, and connect with strangers through matching systems.
Ofcom said platforms must assess and manage risks associated with illegal content and, where applicable, content that could be harmful to children. The regulator identified several key risks commonly associated with dating services, including romance fraud, intimate image abuse, sextortion, harassment, stalking, and grooming.
According to Ofcom research, 29% of adult internet users have experienced romance or dating scams, while 6% reported encountering fraud on a dating website or app. The regulator also pointed to evidence linking dating services to cases of intimate image abuse and online stalking, emphasizing the need for stronger safeguards.
To comply with the Act, in-scope services are expected to conduct risk assessments and implement measures designed to reduce harm. Basic requirements include clear terms and conditions, accessible reporting tools for users, and processes that enable platforms to review and remove potentially illegal content quickly.
Ofcom also highlighted age assurance obligations for services that allow pornographic content, including user-generated material. In such cases, platforms must implement highly effective age verification or age estimation measures to prevent under-18s from accessing that content, whether it appears publicly on profiles or within private messages.
