Ofcom has said it cannot take any further legal action against a pro-suicide forum that campaigners link to more than 130 UK deaths, as the site has now blocked access for the "vast majority" of UK users. The regulator, acting under the Online Safety Act for the first time against any service, said it had exhausted all available legal routes, though it acknowledged users could still reach the forum via a VPN. Campaigners and charities reacted with anger, warning the decision would cost more lives and questioning whether the Online Safety Act is fit for purpose.

The forum was fined £950,000 by Ofcom in May for failing to protect UK users from illegal content, with payment due by 12 June; Ofcom says the fine has not been paid. Andy Burrows of the Molly Rose Foundation criticised the timing of the announcement, made on the day a new prime minister was named, calling it a lack of moral courage, while Ofcom said the decision was made days ago and delaying it further would have been inappropriate. Samaritans' Sarah Ruane said she was "extremely disappointed", noting that over three years since the Act passed there has still been no meaningful action against some of the most harmful sites online. Ofcom said it is working with the government to explore strengthening its powers, including the ability to secure court-ordered website blocks.