Online Safety Act 2023 (c. 50) – Section 65 – OFCOM’s guidance about user identity verification
Sections
Section 65OFCOM’s guidance about user identity verification
(1) OFCOM must produce guidance for providers of Category 1 services to assist them in complying with the duty set out in section 64(1).
(2) In producing the guidance (including revised or replacement guidance), OFCOM must have particular regard to the desirability of ensuring that providers of Category 1 services offer users a form of identity verification likely to be available to vulnerable adult users.
(3) Before producing the guidance (including revised or replacement guidance), OFCOM must consult—
- (a)[F1the Information Commission],
- (b)persons whom OFCOM consider to have technological expertise relevant to the duty set out in section 64(1),
- (c)persons who appear to OFCOM to represent the interests of vulnerable adult users of Category 1 services, and
- (d)such other persons as OFCOM consider appropriate.
(4) OFCOM must publish the guidance (and any revised or replacement guidance).
Amended text
This Section is shown as amended by S.I. 2026/386 (see the annotations below), as incorporated in the text in force on 5 November 2026 as published on legislation.gov.uk.
Annotations
Textual Amendments
- F1 Words in s. 65(3)(a) substituted (30.9.2026) by The Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provision) Regulations 2026 (S.I. 2026/386), reg. 1(2), Sch. 2 para. 26(1)(2)(c); S.I. 2026/1015, reg. 2(c)
Commencement Information
- I1 S. 65 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 240(1)
- I2 S. 65 in force at 10.1.2024 by S.I. 2023/1420, reg. 2(r)
https://osa.digiphile.law/article/article-65.html
Text as at 5 November 2026.
This is an unofficial convenience version of the Online Safety Act 2023. It is presented “as is” without guarantee of accuracy, completeness or reliability. See the source text for the official version. This site was last updated in November 2026.