UK Cracks Down on AI Chatbots: Online Safety Act Expands to Protect Children

The UK government is tightening the reins on AI chatbots with new regulations aimed at protecting children online. A significant expansion of the Online Safety Act will now hold AI platforms like OpenAI's ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot accountable for preventing the spread of illegal and harmful content. This initiative follows sharp criticism leveled at Elon Musk's X platform over sexually explicit content generated by its Grok chatbot, highlighting the urgent need for greater oversight.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the measures, emphasizing that these AI chatbots will be subject to the same "illegal content duties" as other online platforms. Failure to comply could result in substantial fines or even being blocked in the UK. This firm stance underscores the government's commitment to safeguarding children in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

The updated regulations extend beyond content moderation. They grant the government the power to set minimum age limits for social media platforms, restrict features like infinite scrolling that can be addictive, and limit children's access to AI chatbots and VPNs. Data retention policies are also being revised, requiring social media companies to preserve data after a child's death, unless the online activity is demonstrably unrelated.

This regulatory shift marks a departure from previous approaches that focused primarily on regulating the *use* of technology rather than the technology itself. Alex Brown, head of TMT at law firm Simmons & Simmons, notes that generative AI has exposed the limitations of the original Online Safety Act, which centered on "regulating services rather than technology." The new measures aim to address the inherent risks arising from the design and behavior of these technologies.

The UK is not alone in grappling with the challenges of children's online safety. Australia has already implemented a ban on social media for individuals under 16, forcing platforms to adopt age-verification methods. Several European countries, including Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Denmark, and Finland, are also considering similar bans. The UK government launched its own consultation on this matter in January, signaling a potential future ban.

The House of Lords recently voted to amend the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill to include a social media ban for under-16s. This amendment will now be reviewed by the House of Commons, with both houses needing to agree on the changes before they become law. These developments signal a broader consensus on the need for stronger protections for children online, particularly in the face of growing concerns about mental health and wellbeing harms associated with social media use. The UK's move to regulate AI chatbots reflects this growing concern and sets a precedent for other nations grappling with the ethical and social implications of these powerful technologies.

This announcement showcases a proactive approach by the UK government in regulating rapidly evolving technology, prioritizing children's well-being, and addressing emerging dangers in the digital age. The effectiveness of these regulations, particularly their implementation and enforcement, will be closely watched by tech companies, policymakers, and parents alike.