UK Regulator Initiates Investigation into Online Suicide Forum Tied to 50 Deaths, Citing Safety Lapses

LONDON, April 9 — Britain’s broadcasting regulator announced today that it is investigating an online suicide forum, which local media reports has been linked to at least 50 deaths in the country.

Ofcom stated that it is examining whether the site’s service provider "failed to implement appropriate safety measures to protect its UK users from illegal content and activities."

This marks the first investigation into an individual service provider under the UK’s Online Safety Act of 2023, which aims to safeguard both adult and child internet users.

Under the act, service providers had until the middle of last month to remove any illegal content once they were made aware of it.

“We have made several attempts to engage with this service provider regarding its duties under the act and have issued a legally binding request to submit its illegal harms risk assessment,” Ofcom said in a statement.

“After receiving a limited response and unsatisfactory information about the steps being taken to protect UK users from illegal content, we have launched an investigation into whether the provider is complying with its legal obligations.”

Due to the sensitive nature of the content, Ofcom did not disclose the name of the service provider or the website.

The BBC reported that the forum is hosted in the United States and has tens of thousands of members, including children. Users discuss methods of suicide and share instructions on how to acquire and use a potentially lethal toxic chemical.

The forum has been linked to approximately 50 suicides in the UK, the BBC added.

If the service provider fails to comply, Ofcom could seek a court order to have the content removed, as well as potentially fine the provider up to £18 million (RM103 million) or 10% of its global revenue. — AFP