In brief
On 29 June 2026, the Online Safety Commission (OSC), a new agency established under the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Act (OSRAA) to support victims of online harms, will commence operations. Specified provisions on statutory torts under the OSRAA will also come into effect on the same day.
In more detail
The OSC will provide victims of online harms with quicker and more accessible avenues of recourse. In its first phase of operation, the OSC will focus on the five most prevalent and severe harms: online harassment (including online sexual harassment), intimate image abuse, image-based child abuse, doxxing and online stalking ("Specified Categories of Online Harms"). Other categories of online harms will be progressively implemented.
The OSC will have powers to issue various binding directions to platforms, administrators of groups or pages, content communicators, internet service providers or app stores to take down harmful content, suspend offending accounts, disable access and allow the victim to post a reply. Failure to comply with the OSC's directions or orders may constitute an offence liable to severe penalties.
In conjunction with the launch of the OSC, specified statutory torts under the OSRAA will also come into effect. Victims of Specified Categories of Online Harms can apply to the court for remedies, such as damages and injunctions, for breach of duties by content communicators, administrators of groups or pages, and platforms relating to the relevant online harms.
You may refer to our previous client alerts from November 2025, October 2025, April 2025 and October 2024 for more details on the OSRAA and OSC.
Key takeaways
The commencement of the OSC's operations will enhance protection for victims of online harms by providing more effective safeguards and avenues for relief, while at the same time increasing the repercussions for non-compliant perpetrators.
Platforms should proactively monitor the OSC's directions, orders, and enforcement actions, and ensure that their internal systems and processes are capable of responding promptly and effectively to any compliance requirements that may be imposed.
For further information and to discuss what this development might mean for you, please get in touch with your usual Baker McKenzie contact.
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