We are consulting on updates to our Online Safety Information Powers Guidance with respect to Data Preservation Notices and Coroner Information Notices.
Under section 101 of the Online Safety Act 2023 (‘the Act’), Ofcom has information gathering powers to support a coroner’s or procurator fiscal’s investigation into the death of a child by issuing a Coroner Information Notice.
In February 2025, we published a statement setting out how and when we might issue Coroner Information Notices alongside our wider powers to require and obtain information that we need to exercise our online safety duties and functions.
On 19 June 2025, the Data (Use and Access) Act (‘the DUAA’) received Royal Assent. The DUAA provides Ofcom with additional functions to support coroners’ investigations into the death of a child. From 30 September 2025, if a coroner provides Ofcom with certain information about the death of a child, we have a duty to issue a Data Preservation Notice to relevant regulated services. We also have a power to issue a Data Preservation Notice to certain others .
This consultation sets out our proposed updates to the Online Safety Information Powers Guidance with respect to Data Preservation Notices. We are also consulting on a small number of updates to our guidance on Coroner Information Notices based on our early experience of processing requests from coroners.
Responding to this consultation
Please submit responses using the response form no later than 5pm on 28 October 2025.