Today, Ofcom began its consultation into the proposals concerning the regulation of advertising on video sharing platforms (“VSPs”), a type of service that enables users to upload and share videos with members of the public. This marks the first step, since 1 November 2020 when Ofcom was granted the authority to regulate VSPs amidst new regulations which focussed on protecting users from harmful content and which also included standards around advertising.

Ofcom is proposing to reflect the current statutory framework in the Communication Act which distinguishes between advertising that is marketed, sold or arranged by the VSP provider and advertising that is not. For VSP-controlled advertising, Ofcom is proposing to elect the Advertising Standards Authority as the co-regulator with Ofcom. For non-VSP-controlled advertising, i.e. for advertising not marketed, sold or arranged by VSP providers, Ofcom has been provisionally designated to assess the appropriate measures enacted by VSPs in protecting users.

Please follow the attached link for more details regarding this consultation: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0031/219766/vsp-advertising-condoc.pdf.