With the UK Online Safety Act's enforcement deadline approaching in early 2025, digital platforms are evaluating tools to build their content moderation and compliance infrastructure. Here's a practical guide to essential tools that can help your platform meet its safety obligations, with insights on implementation complexity and resource requirements.
In case you missed the memo, here is a quick guide on all that you need to know about the act and its implications for all technology platforms with a UK user base.
1. Content moderation APIs and SDKs
The Online Safety Act requires platforms to implement proactive content monitoring and swift response mechanisms. Content moderation tools form the foundation of your compliance strategy, enabling you to automatically detect, flag, and act on potentially harmful content before it reaches your users. While some platforms might consider building in-house solutions, specialized moderation tools can significantly reduce implementation time and ensure robust coverage of compliance requirements.
Core capabilities
Real-time content screening
Automated moderation
Text and multimedia content analysis
User behavior monitoring
Content filtering and blocking
CometChat's moderation suite
Pros:
End-to-end moderation solution with built-in UI to manage moderation processes.
Quick implementation (typically 1-2 weeks)
Robust rule-based moderation coupled with Automated AI content filtering.
Minimal technical overhead
Includes user reporting, message flagging and case management
Best for:
Platforms needing rapid compliance
Teams with limited development resources
Organizations wanting a unified moderation solution
Activefence
Pros:
Advanced AI-powered content analysis
Proactive threat detection
Comprehensive policy enforcement
Multi-language support
Considerations:
Enterprise-focused pricing
Complex integration process
Requires technical resources
Best For:
Large platforms with diverse content types
Organizations needing threat intelligence
Platforms with multi-language requirements
Hive moderation
Pros:
High accuracy content moderation
Fast processing speeds
Scalable infrastructure
Multi-modal content analysis
Considerations:
Requires API integration
Technical expertise required
Custom UI development needed
Best for:
High-volume content platforms
Organizations needing real-time moderation
Platforms with diverse content types
Microsoft azure content moderator
Pros:
Comprehensive content analysis capabilities
High accuracy rates
Extensive customization options
Considerations:
Requires significant development effort
Need to build custom UI and workflows
Complex integration process (3-6 months typical)
Additional tools needed for complete compliance
Best for:
Large platforms with dedicated engineering teams
Organizations needing highly customized solutions
Amazon Rekognition
Pros:
Powerful image and video analysis
Scalable infrastructure
Strong integration with AWS services
Considerations:
Raw API requiring extensive development
Must build moderation interface from scratch
Significant engineering resources needed
Limited to visual content analysis
Best for:
Image/video-heavy platforms
Teams with strong AWS expertise
2. CSAM Detection and Prevention Tools
CSAM detection is a critical requirement under the Online Safety Act, requiring platforms to implement robust systems for preventing the spread of illegal content. While this capability might seem relevant only to social platforms, the Act requires all platforms with user-generated content to implement appropriate safeguards, making CSAM detection tools essential for compliance.
Core capabilities
Hash matching against known CSAM databases
New CSAM detection
Automated reporting to authorities
Integration with law enforcement systems
PhotoDNA
Pros:
Industry standard solution
High detection accuracy
Strong law enforcement partnerships
Considerations:
Complex implementation
Requires dedicated infrastructure
Limited to image content
Best for:
Large platforms handling significant user content
Services requiring comprehensive CSAM protection
Safer by Thorn
Pros:
Specialized in CSAM detection
Advanced machine learning models
Quick implementation
Regular database updates
Considerations:
Focused specifically on CSAM
May need additional tools for other content types
Best for:
Platforms needing dedicated CSAM protection
Organizations prioritizing child safety
Internet Watch Foundation API
Pros:
Direct access to updated hash lists
Specialized in UK compliance
Automated reporting capabilities
Considerations:
Requires technical integration
Need to build management interface
Best for:
UK-focused platforms
Services needing specific CSAM protection
Note: CometChat is integrating CSAM detection capabilities into its moderation suite, which will provide platforms with built-in protection as part of its end-to-end solution. This integration will include hash matching against major databases and automated reporting systems, simplifying compliance for platforms using CometChat's services.
3. Content Classification and Risk Assessment Tools
Content classification is essential for maintaining effective moderation workflows and meeting the Act's requirements for swift response to high-risk content. While specialized classification tools exist, many comprehensive moderation solutions now include built-in classification capabilities that can be customized to your platform's specific needs.
Core capabilities
Content categorization
Risk level assessment
Pattern detection
Automated content prioritization
OpenAI's Content Filter
Pros:
Advanced language understanding
Regular model updates
Flexible implementation options
Considerations:
Requires API integration development
Need to build classification workflows
May need additional tools for visual content
Best for:
Text-heavy platforms
Teams needing sophisticated language analysis
Besedo
Pros:
Comprehensive content moderation
Built-in content classification
Multiple language support
Customizable rules engine
Considerations:
Enterprise-focused solution
Requires integration effort
May need technical expertise
Best for:
Marketplaces and classifieds
Multi-language platforms
High-volume content sites
Perspective API
Pros:
Specialized in toxic content detection
Well-documented integration
Regular model improvements
Considerations:
Limited to text content
Needs custom implementation
Requires additional tools for full compliance
Best for:
Platforms focusing on comment moderation
Forums and discussion boards
4. Compliance documentation and audit systems
Maintaining accurate records and providing evidence of compliance are key obligations under the Online Safety Act. Compliance documentation and audit systems help you systematically track, document, and review your platform’s safety measures. These tools simplify the process of demonstrating adherence to the law by providing a centralized framework for recording policies, incident responses, and moderation activities.
They also support periodic audits, ensuring that your platform remains aligned with evolving regulatory standards. By leveraging these systems, you can efficiently meet legal requirements while building trust with regulators and users alike.
Core capabilities
Activity logging
Decision tracking
Report generation
Compliance evidence management
Purpose-built compliance platforms
OneTrust safety & security assessment
Specialized in Online Safety Act requirements
Pre-built assessment templates
Automated evidence collection
Consideration: Significant investment required
StandardFusion GRC Platform
Focused on UK regulatory compliance
Built-in risk assessment workflows
Automated documentation
Consideration: Complex implementation process
Implementation strategy guide
For large platforms (Category 1 services)
Recommended stack:
Comprehensive moderation API (e.g., custom solution built on Azure/AWS)
Dedicated CSAM detection tools
Specialized content classification system
Enterprise compliance management platform
Resource requirements:
Dedicated engineering team
6-12 month implementation timeline
Significant infrastructure investment
For medium-sized platforms
Recommended stack:
End-to-end moderation solution (e.g., CometChat)
Basic CSAM detection integration
Automated content classification
Standard compliance documentation system
Resource requirements:
Small technical team
2-3 month implementation timeline
Moderate investment
For smaller platforms
Recommended stack:
Plug-and-play moderation solution like CometChat
Essential safety features
Basic documentation tools
Resource requirements:
Minimal technical resources
1-2 month implementation timeline
Budget-friendly options available
Getting started
The key to successful compliance is choosing tools that match your:
Technical resources
Implementation timeline
Budget constraints
Risk category requirements
Consider working with experienced partners who can provide guidance on tool selection and implementation. CometChat, for instance, offers not just tools but also expertise in helping platforms achieve compliance efficiently.
Need help selecting the right tools for your platform? Contact our team for a personalized assessment of your moderation needs and recommendations tailored to your specific use case.
Shrimithran
Director of Inbound Marketing , CometChat