A pro-suicide online forum has been fined £950,000 by Ofcom for not adequately blocking UK users. The site, linked to at least 50 deaths, was accessible in the UK without a VPN despite attempts to block it.
The regulator's investigation, spanning over a year, found that while some changes were made, they were insufficient and inconsistent in reducing risk of harm. Families of those affected are critical of Ofcom’s delayed response.
Ofcom stresses the need for thorough enforcement but faces backlash from bereaved families who feel let down by the process. They call for criminal sanctions against the forum's operators.
The fine reflects serious and deliberate contraventions, with internet service providers now required to block access if the company fails to pay or comply with laws. The case marks the first of its kind under the Online Safety Act.
