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Ofcom Fines Overseas Suicide Forum £950,000 With UK Block Threat

The decision tests how far the Online Safety Act reaches beyond UK borders.

Overview

  • The watchdog issued a record £950,000 penalty on Wednesday, the largest yet under the Online Safety Act, and gave the provider 10 working days to comply.
  • A 13-month investigation found posts that encouraged or instructed suicide across the forum, including content the service pinned or reposted.
  • Ofcom says it is preparing to ask a court to let UK internet providers block the site if the breaches continue.
  • The regulator reports the forum remains reachable in Britain without a VPN despite access changes claimed by the provider.
  • Ofcom links the site to more than 130 UK deaths, while bereaved families cite at least 164 and press for faster action and criminal sanctions.