UK Government sets out new strategy to tackle online fraud

The framework lays out how the Government will tackle fraud both on and offline. Key developments relevant to IAB UK members include: 

• Fraudulent online ads will be considered as part of the OAP, which is reviewing the entire regulatory framework for digital advertising in the UK  
• The Government will be working with platforms to develop a ‘Tech Sector Charter’, with the aim of publishing the Charter by the end of summer 2023. You can find more information about this on page 35, point 85 here
• The Government will work with tech firms to introduce a “simple, seamless and consistent fraud reporting mechanism”
• The framework reiterates that in-scope user-to-user platforms will be required by the Online Safety Bill to prevent fraudulent ads appearing on their services and will need to put in place systems and processes to tackle fraud where it is facilitated by user-generated content or via search results
• Anthony Browne MP has been appointed as the Government’s new ‘Anti-Fraud Champion’ to drive delivery of the framework’s aims and increase cross-industry collaboration