There is no general duty to register with Ofcom. Online Safety Act duties apply automatically to in-scope user-to-user and search services. What you may have to do is notify Ofcom and pay an annual fee: a provider whose qualifying worldwide revenue (QWR) meets the threshold must notify Ofcom under section 83 of the Act. Separately, Ofcom keeps a register of categorised services (Category 1, 2A and 2B), which it decides; providers do not apply to join it.
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Determine if your service is in scope
Your service is regulated if it is a user-to-user service or search service with a significant number of UK users, and is not exempt (e.g. internal business services, email). Check Ofcom's published threshold criteria.
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Check whether Ofcom has categorised your service
Ofcom decides which services meet the Category 1, 2A or 2B thresholds and adds them to its register of categorised services. Categorised services have extra duties.
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Notify Ofcom if your revenue meets the threshold
If your qualifying worldwide revenue meets the threshold, notify Ofcom within the notification window for the charging year. You need your company details, a description of the service and your revenue figures.
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Calculate your fee liability
Services with qualifying worldwide revenue above the threshold are liable for annual fees. Services with UK revenue under the exemption threshold may be exempt. Check current thresholds in the fee structure above.
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Submit annual fee returns
If liable, submit your annual revenue return to Ofcom by the specified deadline. Fees are calculated as a proportion of Ofcom's online safety costs, allocated by QWR band.
Your Online Safety Act duties apply whether or not you have to notify Ofcom. Failing to notify when you are required to is itself a breach that Ofcom can enforce.
Legal basis
Primary legislation and key regulations
Official guidance
Statement of Charging Principles - Online Safety Fees (opens in a new tab)
Ofcom
Statement: Online Safety Information Powers Guidance (opens in a new tab)
Ofcom
Statement: Online safety fees - Notification guidance (opens in a new tab)
Ofcom
Children's access assessment duties under the Online Safety Act (opens in a new tab)
Ofcom
AI chatbots and online regulation – what you need to know (opens in a new tab)
Ofcom
Statement and Guidance: A safer life online for women and girls (opens in a new tab)
Ofcom
Ofcom: Statement on fees and penalties (opens in a new tab)
Ofcom
Ofcom: Online safety fees and penalties (opens in a new tab)
Ofcom
Quick guide to online safety risk assessments (opens in a new tab)
Ofcom
GOV.UK Online Safety Act collection (opens in a new tab)
GOV.UK