Ofcom announced a £950,000 fine against a US-based internet suicide forum for hosting content encouraging or assisting suicide that was accessible in the UK between March 2025 and April 2026 [1, 2, 3]. The regulator found illegal suicide-related content, including instructional material, was continuously present on the forum over this period [1].
The forum has been implicated in between 130 and 164 UK deaths, according to coroners' reports and investigations [1, 2, 3]. At least 65 warnings from coroners were made to the UK government about the risks posed by the forum [2]. Ofcom director of enforcement Suzanne Cater said, "This is a significant fine on a suicide forum known for exploiting the most vulnerable in society" [1].
Despite the forum operator claiming it restricts UK access voluntarily due to legal risks, the site was still accessible without VPN on an inconsistent basis [1, 3]. The provider failed to take adequate measures to prevent UK users from accessing the illegal content [1, 2]. The site was briefly blocked in the UK in July 2025, and a mirror site was taken down in November 2025 [2].
Mental health campaigners welcomed the fine but criticized Ofcom for acting too slowly. Andy Burrows, CEO of the Molly Rose Foundation, said it was "appalling that it has been left to bereaved families and campaign groups to press Ofcom into action" [2]. Burrows also pointed out that searches by the forum’s name still show results linking to it - "a clear-cut breach of the act," though Ofcom has yet to act on that issue [3].
The forum operator defended itself, saying it advocates "for the right to access lawful information without government overreach; Censorship is telling a man he can’t have a steak just because a baby can’t chew it" [2].
Google denied breaching the Online Safety Act despite UK search results linking to the forum [3]. However, advocates say the presence of such links constitutes a breach needing Ofcom intervention [3].
The Online Safety Act criminalizes intentionally encouraging or assisting suicide and requires platforms to promptly remove illegal content [1, 2, 3]. Ofcom is preparing to seek a court order requiring UK internet service providers to block access to the forum if breaches continue [1, 2]. The fine was announced on May 13, 2026 [1, 2, 3].
