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UK Online Safety Act 2023

Self-Assess
United Kingdom (Ofcom)
v2023
22 domains
51 controls

The UK Online Safety Act 2023 establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for online safety, placing duties on user-to-user services and search services to protect users from illegal content and, for larger platforms, content harmful to children. Ofcom is the regulator. Category 1 services (largest platforms with highest risk) face additional duties regarding content harmful to adults, user empowerment, and transparency. The Act covers illegal content duties, child safety duties, fraudulent advertising, and platform transparency. Significant penalties including up to 10% of global revenue.

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Framework summaries on this platform are AI-assisted interpretations for educational and compliance planning purposes. They do not reproduce or replace the official standards. Refer to the authoritative source for the definitive text. Framework names and trademarks belong to their respective organisations.

Framework Domains (22)

Advertising

1 controls
Controls in the Advertising domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 1 controls
CodeTitle
OSA-15Fraudulent Advertising Duties (Category 1 and 2A)

Age assurance

1 controls
Controls in the Age assurance domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 1 controls
CodeTitle
OSA-17Pornography Providers (Part 5) Age Verification

Assurance

1 controls
Controls in the Assurance domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 1 controls
CodeTitle
OSA-20Skilled Persons and Independent Audits

Children's Safety Duties

4 controls

Protecting children from harmful online content

Controls in the Children's Safety Duties domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 4 controls
CodeTitle
UK-OSA-CHILD-01Children's Risk Assessment
UK-OSA-CHILD-02Age Verification and Estimation
UK-OSA-CHILD-03Children's Safety Duties
UK-OSA-CHILD-04Ofcom Enforcement

Freedom of expression

1 controls
Controls in the Freedom of expression domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 1 controls
CodeTitle
OSA-14Protection of Journalistic and News Publisher Content (Category 1)

Governance

2 controls
Controls in the Governance domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 2 controls
CodeTitle
OSA-10Record Keeping and Review
OSA-11Senior Manager Accountability

Illegal Content Duties

4 controls

Duties to address illegal content including CSAM, terrorism, and fraud

Controls in the Illegal Content Duties domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 4 controls
CodeTitle
UK-OSA-ILL-01Illegal Content Risk Assessment
UK-OSA-ILL-02Illegal Content Safety Duties
UK-OSA-ILL-03Content Reporting and Complaints
UK-OSA-ILL-04CSAM Detection

Mandatory reporting

1 controls
Controls in the Mandatory reporting domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 1 controls
CodeTitle
OSA-16Reporting CSAM to the NCA

Operations

1 controls
Controls in the Operations domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 1 controls
CodeTitle
OSA-18Communications Offences and Content Moderation

Part 3 - Duties of Care

6 controls

Illegal content duties, child safety duties, and adult user protections

Controls in the Part 3 - Duties of Care domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 6 controls
CodeTitle
UKOSA-DC-01Illegal Content Risk Assessment
UKOSA-DC-02Illegal Content Safety Duties
UKOSA-DC-03Children's Risk Assessment
UKOSA-DC-04Children's Safety Duties
UKOSA-DC-05User Empowerment Duties
UKOSA-DC-06Content Reporting Mechanisms

Part 4 - Transparency Reporting

3 controls

Annual transparency reporting and information disclosure requirements

Controls in the Part 4 - Transparency Reporting domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 3 controls
CodeTitle
UKOSA-TR-01Annual Transparency Reports
UKOSA-TR-02Content Moderation Information
UKOSA-TR-03Algorithmic Transparency

Part 5 - Ofcom Powers

5 controls

Ofcom's regulatory powers, codes of practice, and enforcement

Controls in the Part 5 - Ofcom Powers domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 5 controls
CodeTitle
UKOSA-REG-01Codes of Practice
UKOSA-REG-02Information Gathering Powers
UKOSA-REG-03Enforcement Notices
UKOSA-REG-04Financial Penalties
UKOSA-REG-05Business Disruption Measures

Part 6-7 - Communications Offences and Special Provisions

5 controls

Criminal offences, CSAM provisions, and special category content

Controls in the Part 6-7 - Communications Offences and Special Provisions domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 5 controls
CodeTitle
UKOSA-OFF-01False Communications Offence
UKOSA-OFF-02Threatening Communications Offence
UKOSA-OFF-03Intimate Image Abuse Offence
UKOSA-OFF-04CSAM Reporting to NCA
UKOSA-OFF-05Age Verification Requirements

Platform Duties

3 controls

Content moderation and safety duties

Controls in the Platform Duties domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 3 controls
CodeTitle
UK-OSA-PD-01Illegal Content Duty
UK-OSA-PD-02Child Safety Duties
UK-OSA-PD-03Transparency and Reporting

Privacy

1 controls
Controls in the Privacy domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 1 controls
CodeTitle
OSA-21Data Protection Integration

Regulatory cooperation

1 controls
Controls in the Regulatory cooperation domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 1 controls
CodeTitle
OSA-19Information Notices and Cooperation with Ofcom

Risk assessment

3 controls
Controls in the Risk assessment domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 3 controls
CodeTitle
OSA-02Illegal Content Risk Assessment
OSA-03Children's Access Assessment
OSA-04Children's Risk Assessment

Safety duties

2 controls
Controls in the Safety duties domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 2 controls
CodeTitle
OSA-05Illegal Content Safety Duties
OSA-06Child Safety Duties and Highly Effective Age Assurance

Scope and applicability

1 controls
Controls in the Scope and applicability domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 1 controls
CodeTitle
OSA-01Service Categorisation and Scope Assessment

Transparency

2 controls
Controls in the Transparency domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 2 controls
CodeTitle
OSA-09Terms of Service Duties
OSA-12Transparency Reporting (Category 1, 2A, 2B)

User empowerment

2 controls
Controls in the User empowerment domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 2 controls
CodeTitle
OSA-07Content Reporting Mechanisms
OSA-13User Empowerment Tools (Category 1)

User redress

1 controls
Controls in the User redress domain of UK Online Safety Act 2023 — 1 controls
CodeTitle
OSA-08Complaints Procedures

Your Compliance Coverage

If you comply with UK Online Safety Act 2023, you already cover:

NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0)

14%

7 controls mapped

Compare →

UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI

14%

7 controls mapped

Compare →

UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code)

14%

7 controls mapped

Compare →

+ 136 more: UNICEF Policy Guidance on AI for Children (2021) (14%), Barbados Data Protection Act 2019 (12%)

See all 139 mapped frameworks ↓

Maps to 139 other frameworks

51 total controls
NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0)
7 source controls mapped|7 target controls covered
14%
UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI
7 source controls mapped|6 target controls covered
14%
UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code)
7 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
14%
UNICEF Policy Guidance on AI for Children (2021)
7 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
14%
Barbados Data Protection Act 2019
6 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
12%
UAE Virtual Asset Regulatory Authority (VARA) Regulations
6 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
12%
TSA Pipeline Security
6 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
12%
API 1164
6 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
12%
ISO 27019
6 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
12%
NIST SP 1800-32
6 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
12%
Saudi PDPL
6 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
12%
Vietnam Law on Cybersecurity (No. 24/2018/QH14)
6 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
12%
IEC 62443
6 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
12%
UK Modern Slavery Act 2015
6 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
12%
UK Data Protection Act 2018
6 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
12%
FedRAMP High
6 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
12%
NIST SP 800-53 Revision 5.1 HIGH
6 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
12%
FedRAMP Moderate
6 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
12%
NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 MODERATE
6 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
12%
NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5 LOW
6 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
12%
Australia Online Safety Act 2021
6 source controls mapped|7 target controls covered
12%
South Korea Korea Internet Self-Governance Organisation (KISO) Code of Ethics
4 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
8%
ISO/IEC 23894:2023
4 source controls mapped|6 target controls covered
8%
Singapore AI Governance Framework
4 source controls mapped|4 target controls covered
8%
Vermont Artificial Intelligence and Consumer Data Act (AICDA)
4 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
8%
UK AI Regulation Framework
4 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
8%
Rwanda Law No. 058/2021 Relating to the Protection of Personal Data
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Peru Personal Data Protection Law (Law No. 29733)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Turkey Personal Data Protection Law (KVKK - Law No. 6698)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Ukraine Law on Personal Data Protection (Law No. 2297-VI)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Uzbekistan Law on Personal Data (No. ZRU-547)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Serbia Law on Personal Data Protection (2018)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
SASB Standards (ISSB Integrated)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
SASB Standards
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
SEC Cybersecurity Disclosure Rules
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Singapore Payment Services Act (PSA) - Digital Payment Token Regulation
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
IAIS Insurance Core Principles (ICPs)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights (VPs)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Tonga Communications Act (2015) - Privacy & Data Protection
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
US Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and COPPA 2.0 Proposed Updates
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
Saudi NCA ECC
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
ICAO Annex 17 - Aviation Security (AVSEC)
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
Peru DPL
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
PCAOB AS 2201 - Audit of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (ICFR)
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
Texas Data Privacy Act
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
ISO/IEC 29134:2023
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
ISO/IEC 27014:2020
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
SSAE 18 - Attestation Standards (SOC Reporting)
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
ISO 31000
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) - Connected Product Safety
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Own Risk and Solvency Assessment (ORSA) - NAIC Model Act
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
AML/CTF Act 2006 (Australia)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
TSA Pipeline Cybersecurity Directives
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
ISO 13485
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
PDPA Thailand
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Bahrain PDPL
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
ISO 27799
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Spain ENS
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
SOC for Cybersecurity - Cybersecurity Risk Management Examination
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Personal Data Act (personopplysningsloven)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
ISO/IEC 27557:2022 - Organisational Privacy Risk Management
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
Responsible Minerals Initiative (RMI) - Responsible Minerals Assurance Process
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
ASIS SPC.1-2009 - Organizational Resilience Standard
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
NIST SP 800-190
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
AS9100D - Aerospace Quality Management System
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
ISO/IEC 27003:2017
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
ISO/IEC 29147:2018
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
TISAX - Trusted Information Security Assessment Exchange
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
Telecommunications Sector Security Reforms (TSSR)
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
Protective Security Policy Framework (PSPF) Release 2024
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
POPIA
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
UK FCA/PRA Operational Resilience Framework
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
GDPR
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Singapore Cybersecurity Act 2018
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Tennessee IPA
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
BSI IT-Grundschutz
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
Turkey KVKK
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
FBI CJIS Security Policy
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
AS9100D:2016 - Quality Management Systems for Aviation, Space, and Defence
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Papua New Guinea National Cybersecurity Policy & Cybercrime Act (2016)
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
RBI Cybersecurity Framework for Banks
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
Vietnam PDPD
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
AWWA Cybersecurity Guidance for the Water Sector (American Water Works Association)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
ISO 26262:2018 - Functional Safety for Road Vehicles
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Philippines DPA
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Switzerland FADP
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
SANS Incident Handler's Handbook and PICERL Methodology
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
ISO/IEC 27031:2011
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018 (SOCI)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
SQF Code Edition 9 - Safe Quality Food
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
ISO 41001:2018 - Facility Management Systems
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
ISO 39001:2012 - Road Traffic Safety Management
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
ISO 50001:2018 - Energy Management Systems
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
ISO 22313:2020 - Guidance on Business Continuity Management Systems
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Singapore Government Instruction Manual on ICT&SS Management (IM8)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
US Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) - Higher Education Safeguards Rule
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
Azure Security Benchmark
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
EASA Part-IS - Information Security in Aviation
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
SEC Climate Disclosure Rule
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
AWS Well-Architected Security Pillar
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
ISO 27005
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
NIST SP 800-171A Rev 3 - Assessing CUI Security Requirements
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Saudi Arabia PDPL
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
NIST SP 800-53 Rev 5
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
Taiwan PDPA
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
South Korea Cloud Security Assurance Program (CSAP)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Switzerland New Federal Act on Data Protection (nFADP/nDSG, 2023)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Union Customs Code (UCC) - Regulation (EU) No 952/2013
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
PDPA Singapore
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
ISO 27017
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Privacy Act 2020
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
NFPA 1600 - Standard on Continuity, Emergency, and Crisis Management
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Qatar DPL
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
APPI
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
AICPA Privacy Management Framework (PMF)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
South Korea ISMS-P
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
ISO 45001
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
UK Defence Standard 05-138 - Cyber Security for Defence Suppliers
3 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
6%
Privacy Act 1988 (Australia)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
ISO 22000
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
UK Security and Emergency Measures Direction (SEMD) - Water Industry
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
APRA SPS 220 Risk Management (Superannuation)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
APRA CPS 230 Operational Risk Management
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programmes - Global Standards
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
ISO 27018
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Rwanda DPL
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Annex 11 to EU GMP - Computerised Systems
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Sri Lanka Personal Data Protection Act (No. 9 of 2022)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Zambia Data Protection Act (2021)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Virginia CDPA
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Utah Consumer Privacy Act
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
UK GDPR (UK General Data Protection Regulation)
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Uruguay DPL
3 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
6%
Australia eSafety Commissioner - Online Safety Expectations for Industry
3 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
6%
Automotive SPICE (ASPICE) v4.0 - Process Assessment Model
1 source controls mapped|3 target controls covered
2%
RICS Professional Standards - Data and Technology in Property
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
2%
WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health 2020-2025
1 source controls mapped|1 target controls covered
2%
Singapore Model AI Governance Framework (2nd Edition)
1 source controls mapped|2 target controls covered
2%
Compare UK Online Safety Act 2023 with NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is UK Online Safety Act 2023?

UK Online Safety Act 2023 is a compliance framework from United Kingdom (Ofcom) with 22 domains and 51 controls. The UK Online Safety Act 2023 establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for online safety, placing duties on user-to-user services and search services to protect users from illegal content and, for larger platforms, content harmful to children. Ofcom is the regulator. Category 1 services (largest platforms with highest risk) face additional duties regarding content harmful to adults, user empowerment, and transparency. The Act covers illegal content duties, child safety duties, fraudulent advertising, and platform transparency. Significant penalties including up to 10% of global revenue. It is used by organisations to establish and maintain compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.

How many controls does UK Online Safety Act 2023 have?

UK Online Safety Act 2023 has 51 controls organised across 22 domains. The largest domains are Part 3 - Duties of Care (6 controls), Part 5 - Ofcom Powers (5 controls), Part 6-7 - Communications Offences and Special Provisions (5 controls). Each control defines specific requirements that organisations must implement to achieve compliance.

What frameworks does UK Online Safety Act 2023 map to?

UK Online Safety Act 2023 maps to 139 other compliance frameworks. The top mapping partners are NIST AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF 1.0) (14% coverage), UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of AI (14% coverage), UK Age Appropriate Design Code (Children's Code) (14% coverage). Use our comparison tool to explore control-level mappings between frameworks.

How do I get started with UK Online Safety Act 2023 compliance?

Start your UK Online Safety Act 2023 compliance journey by running a self-assessment on our platform to identify your current compliance posture. Our AI advisory can answer specific questions about UK Online Safety Act 2023 requirements, and cross-framework mapping helps you leverage existing controls from other frameworks you may already comply with. Create a free account to access all 51 controls and track your progress.

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