TLDR: A UK parliamentary committee has called for generative AI platforms to be subjected to the same safety legislation as other online services. The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee highlighted gaps in the existing Online Safety Act regarding AI-generated content and recommended mandatory watermarking, enhanced crisis protocols, and risk assessments for AI services.
On July 11, 2025, a cross-party committee of UK lawmakers issued a significant report advocating for generative AI (GenAI) platforms to be brought under the same safety legislation as other online services. The Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, which oversees the technology ministry, emphasized that this measure is crucial to prevent the proliferation of illegal and harmful content, identifying clear legislative gaps in current online safety frameworks concerning GenAI risks.
The committee’s report outlined several key recommendations aimed at bolstering online safety in the age of advanced AI. These include the implementation of mandatory watermarking and labeling for all AI-generated content, the expansion of crisis-response protocols for online platforms, and the requirement for AI services to conduct thorough risk assessments, aligning them with the standards already mandated for other online services under the Online Safety Act.
Critically, the report stated that ‘The Online Safety Act fails to effectively address the risks of generative AI, as it regulates at a technology and content level, rather than based on principles or outcomes.’ This highlights a fundamental concern that the existing legislation is not equipped to handle the evolving nature of AI-generated content and its potential harms.
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During evidence-gathering hearings, a representative from Ofcom, the sector regulator, described chatbots as ‘areas of technology where the legal position is not entirely clear or it is complex.’ The committee further noted that the Online Safety Act currently contains no specific measures to identify AI-generated content, nor does it address deepfakes directly. While Ofcom has encouraged voluntary watermarking by AI model developers, the report pointed out that the regulator lacks the formal authority to impose such requirements, underscoring a need for stronger legislative backing.
