--- title: "UK Online Safety Act Illegal Content Risk Assessment Guide" canonical_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/illegal-content-risk-assessment" source_url: "https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/illegal-content-risk-assessment" author: "Sorena AI" description: "UK Online Safety Act guidance for Illegal Content Risk Assessment, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations." published_at: "2026-05-09" updated_at: "2026-05-09" keywords: - "UK Online Safety Act" - "Illegal Content Risk Assessment" - "UK Online Safety Act Illegal Content Risk Assessment" - "compliance checklist" - "practical guidance" - "Compliance" - "Regulatory guidance" --- **[SORENA](https://www.sorena.io/)** - AI-Powered GRC Platform [Home](https://www.sorena.io/) | [Solutions](https://www.sorena.io/solutions) | [Artifacts](https://www.sorena.io/artifacts) | [About Us](https://www.sorena.io/about-us) | [Contact](https://www.sorena.io/contact) | [Portal](https://app.sorena.io) --- # UK Online Safety Act Illegal Content Risk Assessment Guide UK Online Safety Act guidance for Illegal Content Risk Assessment, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. *Artifact Guide* *UK* *Illegal Content Risk Assessment* ## UK Online Safety Act Illegal Content Risk Assessment Illegal Content Risk Assessment decisions under the UK Online Safety Act should be written in operational language: who is in scope, what must happen, what evidence proves it, and when escalation is needed. Use this guide to turn official requirements into scope, evidence, owner, and review decisions. This guidance is practical, source-linked, and should be validated against current legal and policy requirements before implementation. Providers of regulated user-to-user services and regulated search services must carry out an illegal content risk assessment, and the assessment timing depends on whether the service is already in operation or is starting up under the Online Safety Act. This page helps you determine when the duty applies, who owns each action, the required evidence, and the review path before escalation. ## How should a Illegal Content Risk Assessment workflow run under the UK Online Safety Act? Run the workflow as online-safety triage: service scope, user group, risk duty, code mapping, mitigation, evidence, owner, deadline, and Ofcom escalation. - Capture the request, product, role, data flow, jurisdiction, and deadline. - Check the source-linked rule and route exceptions before implementation. - Record the action taken, owner, reviewer, evidence location, and next review date. - Keep a plain-language output that support, product, legal, security, and compliance teams can all understand. Sources for this answer: - [Online Safety Act - Illegal Content Codes of Practice 2024: explanatory memorandum](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-illegal-content-codes-of-practice-2024-explanatory-memorandum/online-safety-act-illegal-content-codes-of-practice-2024-explanatory-memorandum?ref=sorena.io) - Explains Ofcom's illegal-content codes of practice and the related duties that an illegal-content risk assessment workflow should map to owners and evidence. - [UK Government - Online Safety Act explainer](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer?ref=sorena.io) - Workflow support for Illegal Content Risk Assessment. - [Online Safety Act: Protection of Children Codes of Practice - explanatory memorandum](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-protection-of-children-codes-of-practice-explanatory-memorandum/online-safety-act-protection-of-children-codes-of-practice-explanatory-memorandum?ref=sorena.io) - Workflow support for Illegal Content Risk Assessment. ## What fields should the Illegal Content Risk Assessment template capture? A useful template captures service type, user group, risk type, child-access result, code measure, mitigation owner, evidence, review date, and unresolved assumptions. - Source URL and source quote. - Entity, product, service, system, data category, and user group. - Decision result, control action, owner, reviewer, due date, and escalation reason. - Evidence attachment, approval note, exception note, and review cadence. Sources for this answer: - [UK Government - Online Safety Act explainer](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer?ref=sorena.io) - Template field support for Illegal Content Risk Assessment. - [Online Safety Act: Protection of Children Codes of Practice - explanatory memorandum](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-protection-of-children-codes-of-practice-explanatory-memorandum/online-safety-act-protection-of-children-codes-of-practice-explanatory-memorandum?ref=sorena.io) - Template field support for Illegal Content Risk Assessment. - [UK Government - Online Safety Act collection](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/online-safety-act?ref=sorena.io) - Template field support for Illegal Content Risk Assessment. ## How should teams review and improve the Illegal Content Risk Assessment workflow? Review the workflow after Ofcom code updates, feature changes, algorithm changes, user-base changes, incident trends, complaints, enforcement notices, or transparency-report cycles. - Track recurring exception categories and update intake questions. - Remove fields that never affect the decision. - Add fields when reviews show missing source evidence or unclear ownership. - Confirm generated markdown and page content include the same visible source-linked guidance. Sources for this answer: - [Online Safety Act - Illegal Content Codes of Practice 2024: explanatory memorandum](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-illegal-content-codes-of-practice-2024-explanatory-memorandum/online-safety-act-illegal-content-codes-of-practice-2024-explanatory-memorandum?ref=sorena.io) - Review support for Illegal Content Risk Assessment. - [UK Government - Online Safety Act explainer](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer?ref=sorena.io) - Review support for Illegal Content Risk Assessment. - [Online Safety Act: Protection of Children Codes of Practice - explanatory memorandum](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-protection-of-children-codes-of-practice-explanatory-memorandum/online-safety-act-protection-of-children-codes-of-practice-explanatory-memorandum?ref=sorena.io) - Review support for Illegal Content Risk Assessment. - [UK Government - Online Safety Act collection](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/online-safety-act?ref=sorena.io) - Review support for Illegal Content Risk Assessment. *Recommended next step* *Placement: after the practical guidance* ## Turn UK Online Safety Act Illegal Content Risk Assessment into assigned work Use this UK Online Safety Act guide to turn Illegal Content Risk Assessment into owners, evidence requests, review checkpoints, and reusable operating records inside Sorena. - [Open Assessment Autopilot for UK Online Safety Act](/solutions/assessment.md): Turn Illegal Content Risk Assessment into scoped questions, evidence fields, and review tasks. - [Review UK Online Safety Act source evidence](/solutions/research-copilot.md): Use Research Copilot to answer follow-up questions with cited source material. - [Talk through implementation](/contact.md): Review scope, evidence, owners, and the next compliance actions with Sorena. ## Primary sources - [Online Safety Act - Illegal Content Codes of Practice 2024: explanatory memorandum](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-illegal-content-codes-of-practice-2024-explanatory-memorandum/online-safety-act-illegal-content-codes-of-practice-2024-explanatory-memorandum?ref=sorena.io) - Supports Illegal Content Risk Assessment under the UK Online Safety Act. - Quote: "Notice Online Safety Act - Illegal Content Codes of Practice 2024: explanatory memorandum Published 17 December 2024 Contents" - [UK Government - Online Safety Act explainer](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-explainer/online-safety-act-explainer?ref=sorena.io) - Supports Illegal Content Risk Assessment under the UK Online Safety Act. - Quote: "The Online Safety Act 2023 (the Act) is a new set of laws that protects children and adults online." - [Online Safety Act: Protection of Children Codes of Practice - explanatory memorandum](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/online-safety-act-protection-of-children-codes-of-practice-explanatory-memorandum/online-safety-act-protection-of-children-codes-of-practice-explanatory-memorandum?ref=sorena.io) - Supports Illegal Content Risk Assessment under the UK Online Safety Act. - Quote: "This document section concerns the Protection of children codes of practice under the Online Safety Act (OSA)" - [UK Government - Online Safety Act collection](https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/online-safety-act?ref=sorena.io) - Supports Illegal Content Risk Assessment under the UK Online Safety Act. - Quote: "The Online Safety Act 2023 (the Act) protects children and adults online." - [UK Government - Statement of Strategic Priorities for Online Safety](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/statement-of-strategic-priorities-for-online-safety/final-statement-of-strategic-priorities-for-online-safety?ref=sorena.io) - Supports Illegal Content Risk Assessment under the UK Online Safety Act. - Quote: "Providers must use risk and evidence-based approaches to ensure there is no room for illegal content and activity on their platforms." ## Related Topic Guides - [How should teams decide whether UK Online Safety Act applies?](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/faq/regulated-service-scope.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Regulated Service Scope, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Age Assurance Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/age-assurance.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Age Assurance, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Age Assurance Options Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/age-assurance-options.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Age Assurance Options, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Age Assurance Selection Workflow Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/age-assurance-selection-workflow.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Age Assurance Selection Workflow, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Applicability Test Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/applicability-test.md): Practical guidance for the UK Online Safety Act applicability test, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Categorisation Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/categorisation.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Categorisation, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Checklist](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/checklist.md): Practical guidance for the UK Online Safety Act checklist, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Children's Access Assessment Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/children-s-access-assessment.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Children's Access Assessment, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Children's Safety Duties Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/children-safety-duties.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Children's Safety Duties, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Complaint And Appeal Handling Workflow Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/complaint-and-appeal-handling-workflow.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Complaint And Appeal Handling Workflow, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Compliance Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/compliance.md): Practical guidance for the UK Online Safety Act compliance, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Content Moderation And Appeals Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/content-moderation-and-appeals.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Content Moderation And Appeals, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Deadlines and Compliance Calendar Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/deadlines-and-compliance-calendar.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Deadlines and Compliance Calendar, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Enforcement And Penalties Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/enforcement-and-penalties.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Enforcement And Penalties, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act FAQ](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/faq.md): Practical guidance for the UK Online Safety Act FAQ, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act ICO Overlap Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/ico-overlap.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for ICO Overlap, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Illegal Content Duties Explained Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/illegal-content-duties-explained.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Illegal Content Duties Explained, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Moderation And Appeals Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/moderation-and-appeals.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Moderation And Appeals, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Ofcom Enforcement Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/ofcom-enforcement.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Ofcom Enforcement, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Ofcom enforcement: penalty tiers, investigations, and senior manager liability](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/faq/ofcom-enforcement.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Ofcom Enforcement, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Online Safety Risk Assessment Template Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/online-safety-risk-assessment-template.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Online Safety Risk Assessment Template, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act penalties and fines Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/penalties-and-fines.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for penalties and fines, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Regulated Service Scope Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/regulated-service-scope.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Regulated Service Scope, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Requirements Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/requirements.md): Practical guidance for the UK Online Safety Act requirements, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Risk Assessment Workflow Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/risk-assessment-workflow.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Risk Assessment Workflow, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Risk Assessments Playbook Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/risk-assessments-playbook.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Risk Assessments Playbook, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Senior Manager Liability Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/senior-manager-liability.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Senior Manager Liability, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Service Classification Workflow Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/service-classification-workflow.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Service Classification Workflow, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Service Scope and Categorization Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/service-scope-and-categorization.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Service Scope and Categorization, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act Transparency Reporting Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/transparency-reporting.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Transparency Reporting, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act User-to-user And Search Services Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/user-to-user-and-search-services.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for User-to-user And Search Services, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [UK Online Safety Act vs Dsa Guide](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/online-safety-act-vs-dsa.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Online Safety Act vs Dsa, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about Age Assurance under the UK Online Safety Act?](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/faq/age-assurance.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Age Assurance, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about Categorisation under the UK Online Safety Act?](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/faq/categorisation.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Categorisation, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about Children's Access Assessment under the UK Online Safety Act?](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/faq/children-s-access-assessment.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Children's Access Assessment, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about Ico Overlap under the UK Online Safety Act?](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/faq/ico-overlap.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Ico Overlap, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about Illegal Content Risk Assessment under the UK Online Safety Act?](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/faq/illegal-content-risk-assessment.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Illegal Content Risk Assessment, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about Moderation And Appeals under the UK Online Safety Act?](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/faq/moderation-and-appeals.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Moderation And Appeals, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about Senior Manager Liability under the UK Online Safety Act?](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/faq/senior-manager-liability.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Senior Manager Liability, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about Transparency Reporting under the UK Online Safety Act?](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/faq/transparency-reporting.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for Transparency Reporting, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. - [What should teams do about User-to-user And Search Services under the UK Online Safety Act?](/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/faq/user-to-user-and-search-services.md): UK Online Safety Act guidance for User-to-user And Search Services, with practical decisions, evidence, edge cases, and external source citations. --- [Privacy Policy](https://www.sorena.io/privacy) | [Terms of Use](https://www.sorena.io/terms-of-use) | [DMCA](https://www.sorena.io/dmca) | [About Us](https://www.sorena.io/about-us) (c) 2026 Sorena AB (559573-7338). All rights reserved. Source: https://www.sorena.io/artifacts/uk/online-safety-act/illegal-content-risk-assessment