On 17th March, Ofcom released an important revision to the Online Safety Act, a move that strengthens online protections and clearly defines what now constitutes a criminal offense in digital spaces. While much of the attention has focused on the responsibilities of social media platforms, this update also has clear implications for employers – particularly when it comes to background checks and identifying potential risks early in the hiring process.
At Agenda Screening, we’re here to help organisations adapt to these changes and ensure that your background screening processes remain robust, compliant, and future-ready.
What’s Changed in the Online Safety Act?
The revised Act sets out new guidelines for what is now considered criminal behaviour online, including:
These are now explicitly criminalised, meaning organisations need to be aware of how a candidate’s online behaviour could signal potential risk, particularly for roles involving vulnerable populations or high levels of trust.
Why This Matters for Employers
As the law evolves, so do employer responsibilities. This includes ensuring the individuals you hire don’t pose a risk based on past behaviour, online or otherwise.
That’s where we come in.
How Agenda Screening Supports You
At Agenda Screening, we stay ahead of regulatory changes so you don’t have to. Here’s how our services help you align with the updated Online Safety Act:
✅ Criminal Record Checks: We offer enhanced DBS checks and global criminal checks that can highlight any online-related offenses now classified under the revised Act.
✅ Social Media Screening: Our advanced social media screening solutions help you identify red flags such as hate speech, threats, or inappropriate online behaviour – while respecting candidate privacy and ensuring fairness.
✅ Risk-Focused Reports: We provide clear, concise reports that flag only relevant and actionable risks -so you can make informed hiring decisions without getting buried in data.
✅ Compliance Expertise: We help you build a compliant screening process that not only meets the current legal standard but is adaptable for future changes. Our team is always ready to support policy updates and audit needs.
Building Trust in a Digital World
The updated Online Safety Act reflects a broader shift: one where digital behaviour matters just as much as offline conduct. With our help, you can confidently screen candidates in a way that’s:
At Agenda Screening, we believe in helping you make safer, smarter hiring decisions – while staying ahead of the law.
Get in touch with our team today to find out how we can strengthen your screening process in light of the latest Online Safety Act updates.
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