Explanatory note

These Regulations are the sixth commencement regulations made under the Online Safety Act 2023 (c. 50) (“the 2023 Act”). They bring into force section 210 of the 2023 Act, which repeals the video-sharing platform regulatory regime under Part 4B of the Communications Act 2003 (c. 21) (“the 2003 Act”). Services known as “pre-existing Part 4B services” (defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 17 to the 2023 Act) have been regulated under both the 2003 Act and the 2023 Act since entering a transition period on 10th January 2024. Detailed transitional arrangements are provided for in Schedule 17 to the 2023 Act.

These Regulations mark the end of the transition period. From 25th July 2025, pre-existing Part 4B services will be regulated wholly under the 2023 Act and will be subject to each of the relevant duties of care specified in Part 3 of the 2023 Act.

A full impact assessment has been published in relation to the 2023 Act and copies can be obtained from the UK Government website at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-enactment-impact-assessment or from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology at 100 Parliament Street, London, SW1A 2BQ, United Kingdom.