Ofcom is committed to driving change through both supervisory engagement and enforcement action as appropriate. As part of our supervisory programme, we have a dedicated taskforce dealing with ‘small but risky services’.

The taskforce is already operational. Staffing levels within the taskforce vary according to operational needs, with staff drawn from teams across Ofcom. The taskforce has been in operation since the summer of 2024, and is in daily communication to progress key areas of work.

Enforcement action can include issuing significant financial penalties, requiring providers to make specific changes, and – in the most serious cases of continued non-compliance (or where we consider non-compliance likely) – applying to the courts to block access to sites in the UK, or restricting the supply of services to the service provider (such as advertising or payment services).