The Online Safety Act 2023 came into force on 31st January 2024. It covers both individual and corporate responsibilities and includes a host of “communication offences” that carry fines, imprisonment or both.
Fundamentally, the offences include communicating that can be harmful. You can read a good summary here. Sorry marketing departments - no more websites or emails with flashing images !
The intent of this law is good, although we will see if the warnings of unintended circumstances happen. However, in the meantime, you should update the following:
- Acceptable Use Policy - to make transmission of malicious text or images explicitly forbidden and direct towards the legislation.
- Legal and Contractual Register - to acknowledge that the organisation is governed by this law.
We also recommend reminding all employees that of the new law and the implications of breaking it!
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