Ofcom has launched a consultation on proposed changes to its rules relating to (a) user blocking and muting and (b) disabling comments under its Illegal Harms Codes of Practice (on which we have previously commented here).

The proposed changes were announced alongside the publication of the Protection of Children Codes and Guidance (on which we commented here) and are aimed at further reducing children’s exposure to illegal harms online by expanding the types of services that will be subject to the existing measures within the Illegal Harms Codes.

User Blocking and Muting

Ofcom proposes that this measure – which provides that users should have options to block and mute other accounts on the service – would also apply to providers of user-to-user services that:

• are likely to be accessed by children;
• include at least one of the following three functionalities – (i) user connection, (ii) posting content, and (iii) user communication; and
• either have:
• Below seven million monthly below seven million monthly UK users and are high risk for at least one of coercive or controlling behaviour; harassment, stalking, threats and abuse; hate; grooming; encouraging or assisting suicide

or

• between 700,000 and seven million monthly UK users and are medium risk for at least one of the relevant harms listed above.

Disabling comments

This measure – which provides that users should have the option of disabling comments on their content – would apply to providers of user-to-user services that:

• are likely to be accessed by children;
• have the functionality of commenting on content; and
• either have
• below seven million monthly UK users and are high risk for at least one of harassment, stalking, threats and abuse; hate; grooming; encouraging or assisting suicide

or

• between 700,000 and seven million monthly UK users and are medium risk for at least one of the relevant harms listed above.

Responses to the consultation are due by 22 July 2025. To read the consultation paper in full, click here.