PART 7OFCOM's powers and duties in relation to regulated services

CHAPTER 7Committees, research and reports

I1I2155Consumer consultation

1

Section 16 of the Communications Act (consumer consultation) is amended as follows.

2

In subsection (4), after paragraph (d) insert—

da

regulated services;

3

After subsection (5) insert—

5A

As regards OFCOM’s functions under the Online Safety Act 2023 in relation to regulated services—

a

the reference in subsection (5) to “the contents” of a thing includes a reference to specific pieces of online content, but

b

subsection (5) is not to be read as preventing the Consumer Panel from being able to give advice about any matter that more generally concerns—

i

different kinds of online content in relation to which OFCOM have functions under that Act (see Parts 3 and 5 of that Act), and

ii

the impact that different kinds of such content may have on United Kingdom users of regulated services.

4

After subsection (12) insert—

12A

OFCOM’s report under paragraph 12 of the Schedule to the Office of Communications Act 2002 for each financial year must contain a statement by OFCOM about the arrangements for consultation that have been made in that year under this section, so far as the arrangements relate to regulated services.

5

In subsection (13), in the definition of “domestic and small business consumer”, in paragraph (b)(i), after “available” insert “or a provider of a regulated service”.

6

After subsection (13) insert—

14

In this section the following terms have the same meaning as in the Online Safety Act 2023—

  • “provider”, in relation to a regulated service (see section 226 of that Act);

  • “regulated service” (see section 4 of that Act);

  • “United Kingdom user” (see section 227 of that Act).