Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (): The government is
working at pace to ensure that the new online safety regulatory
framework set out in the Online Safety Act is fully operational
as quickly as possible. Today we are launching the first
consultation related to the Act on the eligible entity criteria
and procedure to be used for the super-complaints regime.
Super-complaints will play an essential role within the framework
as they will allow for complaints about systemic issues to be
assessed by the regulator. They will ensure that Ofcom is made
aware of systemic issues users are facing which it may not be
aware of otherwise.
To support the implementation of the super-complaints regime, the
Secretary of State has the power to make regulations setting out
the criteria a body must meet in order to be eligible to submit a
super-complaint to Ofcom (the “eligible entity” criteria). The
Secretary of State is further required to make provisions about
procedural matters related to super-complaints. This can include
requirements such as the form and manner of such a complaint,
steps that OFCOM must take in relation to it, and time limits for
each step.
In developing these regulations, the government’s view is that
the eligible entity criteria should allow systemic issues to be
raised effectively, while ensuring that super-complaints are
high-quality and evidence-based. This approach will focus Ofcom’s
resource on genuine problems. Similarly, we are seeking to create
a super-complaints procedure which is clear, fair and effective.
In order to ensure that the regulations are informed by the
expertise of civil society organisations and the wider public, a
full consultation has been launched today and will run for eight
weeks. We welcome responses to any, or all, of the proposed
questions.
The consultation will use the Qualtrics survey tool. For those
unable to access the tool, a PDF copy of the survey is attached.
A copy of the consultation document will be placed in the
Libraries of both Houses and published on GOV.UK.
