Get you up to speed: Suicide forum linked to 130 deaths still accessible in UK despite ban | News UK
A suicide forum linked to over 130 deaths remains accessible in the UK despite claims from Ofcom that it is blocked for users. An investigation by WTX and Ripple Suicide Prevention Charity found that the forum can be accessed within seconds using a VPN, with at least one mirror site also available on the dark web.
Ofcom has stated it cannot legally block the forum due to its implementation of a geoblocker, despite ongoing accessibility via VPNs and dark web mirror sites. The regulatory body has indicated that its investigation into the forum will continue, although it has exhausted current legal measures under the Online Safety Act.
Ofcom stated it has no further legal grounds to act against the forum, citing the implementation of a geoblocker that supposedly restricts UK access, while family members and campaigners are demanding an expansion of Ofcom’s regulatory powers to combat such sites effectively. In response to ongoing concerns, a government spokesperson confirmed that they are working closely with Ofcom to ensure enforcement measures remain robust and appropriate to address the dangers posed by platforms circumventing current regulations.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain how many additional sites may also contain similar harmful content accessible to users in the UK.
Suicide forum linked to 130 UK deaths remains accessible despite ban
A suicide forum linked to more than 130 deaths is still easily accessible despite Ofcom saying it is blocked to UK users.
The media regulator claimed last month it could take no further action against the site, which has 170,000 posts encouraging suicide, because it supposedly blocked UK access.
But an investigation by WTX and the Ripple Suicide Prevention Charity has found the forum can be accessed within seconds using a virtual private network (VPN).
Ripple also warned there is at least one so-called ‘mirror site’ on the dark web accessible in the UK which contains the horrific content.
Family members of loved ones who died after accessing the site have reacted in horror to these revelations.
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David Parfett, whose son Tom died from a poison tablet promoted on the forum, told WTX: ‘It is horrendous that we continue to allow this site into our homes.
‘The forum gets pleasure and financial gain from killing British children.
‘Ofcom has not learnt their lessons. They are afraid to use the tools given to them.’
The pro-suicide forum – which WTX is not naming – has been linked to more than 130 UK deaths and is subjected to a years-long campaign to be shut down.
In July, Ofcom said it had exhausted all its legal powers to clamp down on the site under the Online Safety Act because the forum had introduced a geoblocker to stop British users accessing it.
This meant they had no legal grounds to ask a court to require internet service providers to stop UK users reaching the site.
However, an investigation has found that it is shockingly easy to access the harmful content.
It took just seconds for WTX to use a VPN to reach the page.
Ripple Suicide Prevention Charity also said they have uncovered at least one mirror site retaining the same information as the main site that is active on the dark web.
The dark web can be accessed without a VPN, although users typically do use one to reach it.
In November, the Samaritans identified a mirror site, which prompted Ofcom to reopen their investigation and fine the forum £950,000, which has not been paid despite a June 12 deadline.
Ofcom say they can pursue debt recovery where possible, but WTX and Ripple uncovered that the suicide forum appears to be preparing to bypass Ofcom’s financial powers by fundraising via cryptocurrency.
The site tells vulnerable users they are facing ‘increased regulatory pressure’ – directly mentioning Ofcom – which has led to ‘higher operational costs’.
The attempt to encourage users to donate via cryptocurrency appears to be an attempt to swerve the Online Safety Act, which can order a payment process to withdraw services from non-compliant platforms.
David said: ‘These people are more agile and more determined than our very poor regulator.
‘It is unforgivable we are allowing this to happen.’
His son Tom was 22 when he was found dead in a hotel in Surrey in October 2021.
Tom was able to purchase a poison tablet that was promoted on the site.
Commentators on the site cheered him on as he documented how he felt after taking the subtance.
David, who set up the Thomas William Parfett Foundation to campaign for online safety, said: ‘It is unbelievably sick. We are talking about young people’s lives.’
Ofcom say they have no legal grounds to further block access to the site because they ‘cannot regulate worldwide use of platforms’.
The media regulator added they therefore had no legal grounds to pursue ‘business disruption measures’ to force internet service providers to block the site.
David said that Ofcom had ‘got themselves into a twist’ and followed ‘unsatisfactory legal advice’.
He claimed: ‘Ofcom seem afraid of their own shadow.
‘If they had applied [for a business disruption order], they would have been given reasons for rejection, which they could have learnt from.’
Ofcom say the geoblocker means the site is no longer accessible for the ‘vast majority of UK users’, but Ripple say the tech is ‘not 100% reliable’.
That is because databases can sometimes get it wrong and classify a UK-based IP address as belonging to another country.
David Savage, CTO of the Ripple Suicide Prevention, said: ‘We have found that there are multiple routes to access the site despite attempts to implement a geoblock for UK users.
‘Unfortunately, Ofcom has accepted that users being able to access the site via a VPN, availability of mirror sites and an imperfect geoblocker are all insufficient grounds to trigger a service or access restriction order.
‘It is clear that Ofcom needs to strengthen their approach to sites that have an active workaround.’
Savage said that Ofcom’s ‘jurisdiction must be extended’ so it can tackle loopholes, such as VPNs, to take down content where it is accessible through alternate means.
He added: ‘The internet is a global network that often transcends borders, and relying on platforms to regulate themselves is a solution that will cost lives.’
Calls for Ofcom’s powers to be bolstered have been joined by families of loved ones who died on the forum, as well as by campaigners.
Mia-Helena Knight Nikolin Caisley’s brother Vlad was 17 years old when he took his own life in 2024.
His family believe he was encouraged by users of the online group.
Mia-Helena, 28, told WTX: ‘Ofcom has reached the limits of its legal powers but there should not be a full stop at the end of that.
‘Technology is evolving constantly and prevention strategies need to evolve as well.
‘Are we going to allow the number of deaths to keep on growing because we can’t do more?’
Andy Burrows, Chief Executive of Molly Rose Foundation, said: ‘It took Ofcom 468 days since launching its investigation to decide not to seek to block a nihilistic pro-suicide forum responsible for at least 164 deaths, after having to be pushed every step of the way to continue investigating by bereaved families.
‘Families and survivors have been left devastated by this incomprehensible decision that means more vulnerable people will continue to be groomed on the site and which will ultimately result in more lost lives.
‘Andy Burnham’s new government must compel Ofcom to step up to protect the scores of vulnerable young people who remain at risk, and that means working with civil society and bereaved families to urgently bolster the regulatory regime and ensure it has more victim centred leadership.’
What has Ofcom said?
An Ofcom spokesperson said: ‘We acted against this forum as soon as the Online Safety Act came into force and have used the powers we’ve been granted to the fullest extent possible. We conducted a thorough investigation under the process required by law, which found illegal suicide content on the site, and issued a significant fine.
‘We can’t instruct internet service providers or other companies to block a site, and neither Ofcom nor the UK courts can ‘shut down’ a site globally under the Act. If there is ongoing non-compliance, we can apply for a court order to block a site in the UK. However, the forum has already done this as a direct result of our action, which means all possible legal routes under the Act have now been exhausted.
‘We recognise that geoblocks do not fully eliminate all risk of harm, especially if people choose to use VPNs. However, for the vast majority of UK users, this forum is no longer accessible. We’ll continue to monitor the forum closely to check the geoblock remains in place.
‘We can only take action using the powers we’ve been given and any changes to these would be a matter for Government and Parliament. We’re working with Government to consider whether there are areas where our powers can be strengthened.’
A Government spokesperson said: ‘We know the devastating impact that dangerous services like these can have, and our thoughts are with all those who have lost loved ones as a result of this type of illegal content.
‘These sites have absolutely no place in the UK, and any platform that seeks to get around the rules will face the full force of the law.
‘Ofcom’s enforcement action has resulted in the forum blocking access to people in the UK and we are working closely with Ofcom to ensure enforcement powers remain fit for purpose.’