Ofcom Chief Executive admits regulator cannot force foreign companies to pay OSA fines
Published: 20/10/2026
| UK Parliament
On 20 October 2026, Ofcom Chief Executive Dame Melanie Dawes and Chair Sir Ian Cheshire appeared before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Committee to discuss broadcasting standards, media impartiality, and enforcement of the Online Safety Act 2023 (OSA).
Responding to questions about regulatory action against pornography websites that failed to implement mandatory age verification, Dawes confirmed that Ofcom has issued 11 fines. Two of these fines have been paid, leaving nine penalties outstanding, of which one is under appeal, and another is not yet overdue.
Dawes also acknowledged the regulator "won't be able to recover every single fine on online safety," particularly in cross-jurisdictional cases where foreign courts may ultimately prevent the full recovery.
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