03-02-2025, 07:22 PM
Hello all, I need to issue an important update regarding the forum. Another spanner has been thrown in the works thanks to the UK's Online Safety Act which comes into effect this month. Small forums like ours are already closing down due to this enforcement.
Basically all forums, apps etc that allow members to comment, upload pictures, create profiles or interact with each other fall under the scope of the OSA. This means all forums like ours will need to implement features to prevent any illegal or harmful content. It will also mean we need to have tools in place that prevent minors from creating accounts and to verify they are not a minor before they sign up (40 measures in total to ensure it's safe for kids). A simple "Confirm you are over x age" won't work. There are also many other checks that need to be done including moderating private messages. It is actually a minefield of information to go through.
As for this forum, I have carried out their basic assessment and this forum does need to implement these features or potentially face a fine. I have only just found out about the OSA by chance, so it was as much of a surprise to me as it will be to you.
Although it's unclear exactly what will happen, I can only expect the worse, and that is this forum will have to be closed if I receive any legal emails etc. So be prepared for that.
I will in the meantime leave the forum as is, and I will be working on a solution to merge in with the new site, but I have no idea how long that will take or what measures I will need to fully implement yet.
If this forum has to be closed, I will replace it with a website and updated announcements to keep you up to date on things, you just won't be able to interact. Either way I am not giving up.
Some further reading for you.
https://inquisitiveminds.bristows.com/po...of-the-osa
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/i...ms-online/
https://www.bristows.com/expertise/secto...-children/
Basically all forums, apps etc that allow members to comment, upload pictures, create profiles or interact with each other fall under the scope of the OSA. This means all forums like ours will need to implement features to prevent any illegal or harmful content. It will also mean we need to have tools in place that prevent minors from creating accounts and to verify they are not a minor before they sign up (40 measures in total to ensure it's safe for kids). A simple "Confirm you are over x age" won't work. There are also many other checks that need to be done including moderating private messages. It is actually a minefield of information to go through.
As for this forum, I have carried out their basic assessment and this forum does need to implement these features or potentially face a fine. I have only just found out about the OSA by chance, so it was as much of a surprise to me as it will be to you.
Although it's unclear exactly what will happen, I can only expect the worse, and that is this forum will have to be closed if I receive any legal emails etc. So be prepared for that.
I will in the meantime leave the forum as is, and I will be working on a solution to merge in with the new site, but I have no idea how long that will take or what measures I will need to fully implement yet.
If this forum has to be closed, I will replace it with a website and updated announcements to keep you up to date on things, you just won't be able to interact. Either way I am not giving up.
Some further reading for you.
https://inquisitiveminds.bristows.com/po...of-the-osa
https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/i...ms-online/
https://www.bristows.com/expertise/secto...-children/
