Online Safety Act 2023

PART 1 U.K. Amendments consequential on offences in sections 179, 181 and 183

Football Spectators Act 1989 U.K.

1 In Schedule 1 to the Football Spectators Act 1989 (football banning orders: relevant offences), after paragraph 1(y) insert—

“(z) any offence under section 179 (false communications) or 181 (threatening communications) of the Online Safety Act 2023—

(i) which does not fall within paragraph (d), (e), (m), (n), (r) or (s),

(ii) as respects which the court has stated that the offence is aggravated by hostility of any of the types mentioned in section 66(1) of the Sentencing Code (racial hostility etc), and

(iii) as respects which the court makes a declaration that the offence related to a football match, to a football organisation or to a person whom the accused knew or believed to have a prescribed connection with a football organisation.”

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 14 para. 1 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 240(1)

I2 Sch. 14 para. 1 in force at 31.1.2024 by S.I. 2024/31, reg. 2

Sexual Offences Act 2003 U.K.

2 In Schedule 5 to the Sexual Offences Act 2003, in the list of offences for England and Wales, after paragraph 63C insert—

“63D An offence under section 179 of the Online Safety Act 2023 (false communications).

63E An offence under section 181 of that Act (threatening communications).”

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 14 para. 2 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 240(1)

I4 Sch. 14 para. 2 in force at 31.1.2024 by S.I. 2024/31, reg. 2

3 U.K. In Schedule 5 to the Sexual Offences Act 2003, in the list of offences for Northern Ireland, after paragraph 171H insert—

“171I An offence under section 179 of the Online Safety Act 2023 (false communications).

171J An offence under section 181 of that Act (threatening communications).”

Commencement Information

I5 Sch. 14 para. 3 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 240(1)

I6 Sch. 14 para. 3 in force at 31.1.2024 by S.I. 2024/31, reg. 2

Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 U.K.

4 In Schedule 3 to the Regulatory Enforcement and Sanctions Act 2008 (relevant enactments for the purposes of relevant functions to which Parts 1 and 2 of that Act apply), at the appropriate place insert—

• “Online Safety Act 2023, sections 179 and 181”.

Commencement Information

I7 Sch. 14 para. 4 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 240(1)

I8 Sch. 14 para. 4 in force at 31.1.2024 by S.I. 2024/31, reg. 2

Elections Act 2022 U.K.

5 In Schedule 9 to the Elections Act 2022 (offences for purposes of Part 5), in Part 2, after paragraph 52 insert—

“Online Safety Act 2023

52A An offence under any of the following provisions of the Online Safety Act 2023—

(a) section 179 (false communications);

(b) section 181 (threatening communications);

(c) section 183 (sending or showing flashing images).”

Commencement Information

I9 Sch. 14 para. 5 not in force at Royal Assent, see s. 240(1)

I10 Sch. 14 para. 5 in force at 31.1.2024 by S.I. 2024/31, reg. 2