Owen Bennett
@owbennett.bsky.social
Veteran of tech policy. Formerly Head of International Online Safety at Ofcom, the UK's independent communications regulator.
Interesting development for age assurance watchers: The Global Online Safety Regulators Network has issued a new position statement, setting out regulators' attitude to age assurance as a regulatory tool. Some initial reflections in thread - www.cnam.ie/app/uploads/...
www.cnam.ie
January 22, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Interesting development for age assurance watchers: The Global Online Safety Regulators Network has issued a new position statement, setting out regulators' attitude to age assurance as a regulatory tool. Some initial reflections in thread - www.cnam.ie/app/uploads/...
If the first few weeks are anything to go by, this year is likely to be another one of whirlwind developments for those of us working on online safety regulation globally.
Amongst all the messy data points, there’s some overarching policy trends on which I’ll be keeping a keen eye (1/9):
Amongst all the messy data points, there’s some overarching policy trends on which I’ll be keeping a keen eye (1/9):
January 19, 2026 at 9:45 AM
If the first few weeks are anything to go by, this year is likely to be another one of whirlwind developments for those of us working on online safety regulation globally.
Amongst all the messy data points, there’s some overarching policy trends on which I’ll be keeping a keen eye (1/9):
Amongst all the messy data points, there’s some overarching policy trends on which I’ll be keeping a keen eye (1/9):
Urban mobility is amongst the lowest hanging fruits in the race to net zero. That we can't maintain the public policy environment that facilitates net zero in urban mobility (in this case, practices that reduce the incentive for individual car ownership) is a travesty.
January 16, 2026 at 11:57 AM
Urban mobility is amongst the lowest hanging fruits in the race to net zero. That we can't maintain the public policy environment that facilitates net zero in urban mobility (in this case, practices that reduce the incentive for individual car ownership) is a travesty.
Several years ago, when doing postgraduate research into the regulatory failure that precipitated the 2008 financial crash, a causal factor that I came across repeatedly in the literature was the lack of political backing for FS regulators to do their job. www.politico.eu/article/us-s...
January 13, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Several years ago, when doing postgraduate research into the regulatory failure that precipitated the 2008 financial crash, a causal factor that I came across repeatedly in the literature was the lack of political backing for FS regulators to do their job. www.politico.eu/article/us-s...
'Why Europe Could Block X Over Grok Scandal But Probably Won’t'
I've written a piece for @techpolicypress.bsky.social on why European regulators are unlikely to reach for the biggest hammer in their toolbox, as they seek to regain the initiative.
www.techpolicy.press/why-europe-c...
I've written a piece for @techpolicypress.bsky.social on why European regulators are unlikely to reach for the biggest hammer in their toolbox, as they seek to regain the initiative.
www.techpolicy.press/why-europe-c...
Why Europe Could Block X Over Grok Scandal But Probably Won’t | TechPolicy.Press
X could be blocked under the EU Digital Services Act and UK Online Safety Act, but proportionality and technical hurdles make it unlikely, writes Owen Bennett.
www.techpolicy.press
January 12, 2026 at 1:54 PM
'Why Europe Could Block X Over Grok Scandal But Probably Won’t'
I've written a piece for @techpolicypress.bsky.social on why European regulators are unlikely to reach for the biggest hammer in their toolbox, as they seek to regain the initiative.
www.techpolicy.press/why-europe-c...
I've written a piece for @techpolicypress.bsky.social on why European regulators are unlikely to reach for the biggest hammer in their toolbox, as they seek to regain the initiative.
www.techpolicy.press/why-europe-c...
Following receipt of information from X on Friday, UK regulator Ofcom has decided on Monday to open a formal investigation into potential breaches of the Online Safety Act's risk assessment, illegal content, and protection of children duties.
www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
Investigation into X Internet Unlimited Company and its compliance with duties to protect its users from illegal content and child users from harmful content
www.ofcom.org.uk
January 12, 2026 at 11:07 AM
Following receipt of information from X on Friday, UK regulator Ofcom has decided on Monday to open a formal investigation into potential breaches of the Online Safety Act's risk assessment, illegal content, and protection of children duties.
www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
Sigh. Le Reset 2.0 threatens to be another circular round of futile cherry picks.
The notion that 'the EU needs us more than we need them' on financial services is precisely why the sector *should* be part of HMG's mix for negotiations on Reset 2.0 .
www.ft.com/content/8d9a...
The notion that 'the EU needs us more than we need them' on financial services is precisely why the sector *should* be part of HMG's mix for negotiations on Reset 2.0 .
www.ft.com/content/8d9a...
January 9, 2026 at 11:01 AM
Sigh. Le Reset 2.0 threatens to be another circular round of futile cherry picks.
The notion that 'the EU needs us more than we need them' on financial services is precisely why the sector *should* be part of HMG's mix for negotiations on Reset 2.0 .
www.ft.com/content/8d9a...
The notion that 'the EU needs us more than we need them' on financial services is precisely why the sector *should* be part of HMG's mix for negotiations on Reset 2.0 .
www.ft.com/content/8d9a...
Underscoring its commitment to advancing freedom of expression globally, the US gov has withdrawn its longstanding support for the Freedom Online Coalition, an intergovernmental movement the core mandate of which is to advance FoE where ever it is challenged. Go figure. www.state.gov/releases/off...
Withdrawal from Wasteful, Ineffective, or Harmful International Organizations - United States Department of State
Today, in furtherance of Executive Order 14199, President Trump announced the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organizations identified as part of the Trump Administration’s revie...
www.state.gov
January 8, 2026 at 9:22 AM
Underscoring its commitment to advancing freedom of expression globally, the US gov has withdrawn its longstanding support for the Freedom Online Coalition, an intergovernmental movement the core mandate of which is to advance FoE where ever it is challenged. Go figure. www.state.gov/releases/off...
Reflecting on the latest round of kite-flying and briefings, it's increasingly clear that there was a 'moment' post-UK 2024 general election when an ambitious reset of the UK's post-Brexit relationship was possible, and the UK government didn't seize it. It's unlikely to reappear in the medium-term.
January 6, 2026 at 9:11 AM
Reflecting on the latest round of kite-flying and briefings, it's increasingly clear that there was a 'moment' post-UK 2024 general election when an ambitious reset of the UK's post-Brexit relationship was possible, and the UK government didn't seize it. It's unlikely to reappear in the medium-term.
Bluesky friends, after three and a bit years in the hotseat, I'll be leaving my role as Ofcom's Head of International Online Safety at the end of this year 🌍
October 30, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Bluesky friends, after three and a bit years in the hotseat, I'll be leaving my role as Ofcom's Head of International Online Safety at the end of this year 🌍
A month out from the UK Online Safety Act's age assurance duties kicking-in, large and small porn platforms have today signaled their intention to implement protections to protect children from viewing adult content.
www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
UK’s major porn providers agree to age checks from next month
Children in the UK will gain increased protection from online pornography next month, Ofcom has announced, as major providers agree to bring in robust methods to check users’ age for the first time.
www.ofcom.org.uk
June 26, 2025 at 10:08 AM
A month out from the UK Online Safety Act's age assurance duties kicking-in, large and small porn platforms have today signaled their intention to implement protections to protect children from viewing adult content.
www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safet...
My international online safety team at @ofcom.bsky.social is hiring!
We're looking for someone to lead policy areas and manage relationships internationally, as we implement the UK Online Safety Act alongside counterpart rulebooks across the world 🌐
⬇️
ofcom.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/Ofcom_Career...
We're looking for someone to lead policy areas and manage relationships internationally, as we implement the UK Online Safety Act alongside counterpart rulebooks across the world 🌐
⬇️
ofcom.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/Ofcom_Career...
International Policy Manager
Closing Date: 23/06/2025 Group: Strategy and Research Group Management Level: Senior Associate Job Type: Permanent Job Description: Please note that this role will close at 00:01 on Monday 23 June, an...
ofcom.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com
June 10, 2025 at 11:32 AM
My international online safety team at @ofcom.bsky.social is hiring!
We're looking for someone to lead policy areas and manage relationships internationally, as we implement the UK Online Safety Act alongside counterpart rulebooks across the world 🌐
⬇️
ofcom.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/Ofcom_Career...
We're looking for someone to lead policy areas and manage relationships internationally, as we implement the UK Online Safety Act alongside counterpart rulebooks across the world 🌐
⬇️
ofcom.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/Ofcom_Career...
Looking forward to delving into the draft DSA guidelines on protecting children online. A cursory review suggests high-level coherence with what @ofcom.bsky.social is asking of companies under the UK OSA. Positive for children and for regulated companies digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/c...
May 13, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Looking forward to delving into the draft DSA guidelines on protecting children online. A cursory review suggests high-level coherence with what @ofcom.bsky.social is asking of companies under the UK OSA. Positive for children and for regulated companies digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/c...
Interesting article on the potential for Ireland to become a leader in safety tech internationally. I would add compliance professional services to this e.g. compliance auditing, compliance consulting, etc).
www.siliconrepublic.com/enterprise/i...
www.siliconrepublic.com/enterprise/i...
Could Ireland be a global leader in online safety tech?
A new report suggests that Ireland has a strong and emerging safety tech sector, which could put it at an advantage on the global stage.
www.siliconrepublic.com
December 13, 2024 at 2:29 PM
Interesting article on the potential for Ireland to become a leader in safety tech internationally. I would add compliance professional services to this e.g. compliance auditing, compliance consulting, etc).
www.siliconrepublic.com/enterprise/i...
www.siliconrepublic.com/enterprise/i...
If, like me, you haven't had the time or the headspace to closely engage with the published DSA risk assessments and audit reports, this article from @markscott.bsky.social is a great primer.
www.techpolicy.press/5-things-to-...
www.techpolicy.press/5-things-to-...
5 Things to Know about the Digital Services Act’s First Risk Assessments and Audits | TechPolicy.Press
Mark Scott says going forward there are ways to improve these lengthy, often unwieldy documents.
www.techpolicy.press
December 11, 2024 at 2:51 PM
If, like me, you haven't had the time or the headspace to closely engage with the published DSA risk assessments and audit reports, this article from @markscott.bsky.social is a great primer.
www.techpolicy.press/5-things-to-...
www.techpolicy.press/5-things-to-...
A big day today for the Global Online Safety Regulators Network, as we publish our three-year strategic plan and annual report for 2024.
These documents set out where we're coming from and where we want to go to as a regulatory community (1/4)
www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/...
These documents set out where we're coming from and where we want to go to as a regulatory community (1/4)
www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/...
Global Online Safety Regulators Network sets out priorities for next three years
The Global Online Safety Regulators Network has today published its first Annual Report, and its Strategic Plan for 2025-2027.
www.ofcom.org.uk
December 9, 2024 at 3:27 PM
A big day today for the Global Online Safety Regulators Network, as we publish our three-year strategic plan and annual report for 2024.
These documents set out where we're coming from and where we want to go to as a regulatory community (1/4)
www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/...
These documents set out where we're coming from and where we want to go to as a regulatory community (1/4)
www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/...
Welcome Oliver Griffiths, who has joined Ofcom to lead our implementation of the Online Safety Act. Oliver brings a wealth of international regulatory experience, and joins as we gear up for a crucial year of delivery. www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/...
Ofcom appoints Oliver Griffiths as Group Director, Online Safety
Ofcom has today announced the appointment of Oliver Griffiths as its new Group Director, Online Safety.
www.ofcom.org.uk
December 5, 2024 at 12:36 PM
Welcome Oliver Griffiths, who has joined Ofcom to lead our implementation of the Online Safety Act. Oliver brings a wealth of international regulatory experience, and joins as we gear up for a crucial year of delivery. www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/...
Reposted by Owen Bennett
How X assesses the risks of its own platform, in one handy overview. (From its own DSA risk assessment released today) transparency.x.com/content/dam/...
November 27, 2024 at 8:58 PM
How X assesses the risks of its own platform, in one handy overview. (From its own DSA risk assessment released today) transparency.x.com/content/dam/...
Reposted by Owen Bennett
By the far the best interviewer the BBC has. An incredible loss to the organisation.
www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
Mishal Husain to leave BBC
www.bbc.co.uk
November 27, 2024 at 2:48 PM
By the far the best interviewer the BBC has. An incredible loss to the organisation.
www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/...
There's been a lot of focus on Australia's proposals to restrict social media access for under-16s recently. Something which has gone under-reported is that the government is also currently reviewing the national online safety act, and has been signaling significant policy ambition (1/2).
Last week, our colleague Amna Qureshi spoke on an Australian Parliamentary roundtable hosted by Zoe Daniel MP about the importance of DSA-style risk assessments and increased transparency as part of Australia's online safety framework.
Zoe Daniel MP - Other | LinkedIn
I am the community-backed independent member for Goldstein elected at the federal election on May 21st 2022.<br><br>Politics, natural disasters, plane crashes, terror attacks, mass shootings, conflict,...
buff.ly
November 26, 2024 at 1:43 PM
There's been a lot of focus on Australia's proposals to restrict social media access for under-16s recently. Something which has gone under-reported is that the government is also currently reviewing the national online safety act, and has been signaling significant policy ambition (1/2).
This week is a big one in DSA land, as the initial set of designated VLOP/SEs are expected to publish versions of their Y1 risk assessment and audit report. My special interest in all this stems from the fact that platforms will be completing similar such assessments in the UK by March 25 (1/3)
November 25, 2024 at 11:30 AM
This week is a big one in DSA land, as the initial set of designated VLOP/SEs are expected to publish versions of their Y1 risk assessment and audit report. My special interest in all this stems from the fact that platforms will be completing similar such assessments in the UK by March 25 (1/3)
Reposted by Owen Bennett
Job-ad: EU sherpa for Keith Starmer, £153,000 - £200,000 annual salary www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi...
Second Permanent Secretary, European Union and International Economic Affairs - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UKGOV.UK
Search and apply for jobs in the UK Civil Service
www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk
November 24, 2024 at 3:51 PM
Job-ad: EU sherpa for Keith Starmer, £153,000 - £200,000 annual salary www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/jobs.cgi...
The Global Online Safety Regulators Network held its annual meeting last week, bringing together regulators from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. For Ofcom it's an honour to be elected chair of the Network again for 2025, working alongside newly-elected vice-chair Coimisiún na Meán. Ever forward.
November 22, 2024 at 10:30 AM
The Global Online Safety Regulators Network held its annual meeting last week, bringing together regulators from Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. For Ofcom it's an honour to be elected chair of the Network again for 2025, working alongside newly-elected vice-chair Coimisiún na Meán. Ever forward.
Last Friday, Ofcom, DG CNECT, and the AU eSafety Commissioner came together to discuss regulatory coordination and coherence in our respective approaches to the online child protection.
A fantastic day of discussions on cutting-edge policy, and an important statement of internationalist intent.
A fantastic day of discussions on cutting-edge policy, and an important statement of internationalist intent.
November 20, 2024 at 4:45 PM
Last Friday, Ofcom, DG CNECT, and the AU eSafety Commissioner came together to discuss regulatory coordination and coherence in our respective approaches to the online child protection.
A fantastic day of discussions on cutting-edge policy, and an important statement of internationalist intent.
A fantastic day of discussions on cutting-edge policy, and an important statement of internationalist intent.