Statement and Guidance: Super-complaints under the Online Safety Act 2023

Statement published 10 February 2026

Today we are publishing our guidance for the online safety super-complaints regime.

The super-complaints regime enables eligible organisations to bring systemic issues to Ofcom’s attention about features of regulated online services, or conduct of those services, that may lead to material risk of significant online harm or adverse impact on the right to freedom of expression.

There are criteria set out in legislation which determines which organisations are eligible to make a complaint and how we will determine if a complaint is admissible under the Act. To summarise, an organisation must demonstrate that it:

• represents people in the UK - this can be people who use regulated online services, the general public or a specific group of people 
• can be relied on to act independently from regulated online services 
• routinely contributes significantly, as an expert, to public discussions about any aspect of online safety matters 
• can be relied on to have regard to Ofcom’s guidance about making super-complaints 

The final guidance published today provides details on these, and other, criteria for organisations wishing to submit a super-complaint. The Statement explains our consideration of the consultation responses received for the draft guidance and any subsequent changes made to the final guidance.

Ofcom’s webpage has more details on the super-complaints process, and the super-complaints expression of interest form.