Home / Crime and Justice / Suicide Forum Faces £18M Fine Under UK Law
Suicide Forum Faces £18M Fine Under UK Law
7 Jan
Summary
- A pro-suicide online forum faces a potential £18 million fine.
- Two teenagers died after following poison advice from the forum.
- Regulator Ofcom is issuing a provisional notice for likely legal breach.
A pro-suicide online forum is facing potential fines of up to £18 million for breaching the UK's Online Safety Act. This action comes after the deaths of 17-year-old Vlad Nikolin-Caisley and 21-year-old Aimee Walton, both from Southampton, who died after consuming poison advised on the platform. Ofcom has indicated it will issue a provisional notice stating the company has likely broken the law.
The forum, which has had over 50,000 global members, has been active despite numerous warnings from coroners and police investigations. Aimee's sister highlighted that the site has been linked to at least 133 UK deaths. Vlad's mother has urged regulators for immediate action to protect vulnerable individuals.
If the company does not address Ofcom's concerns, the regulator can impose substantial fines or seek court permission to disrupt the company's services in the UK. The government has pledged to strengthen laws concerning the online purchase of lethal drugs, following these tragic events.
