AI laws in the UK: what applies in 2026
The UK has no AI Act. Here is how the Online Safety Act, the Data (Use and Access) Act and new deepfake offences cover AI, and what they mean for you.
AI laws in United Kingdom
Every AI law and rule we track in United Kingdom: where it stands, when it takes effect and what it means for you.
| Law | Where | Status | Key date | Last checked |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crime and Policing Act (AI) | UK United Kingdom | Partly in force | In force since | |
| Data (Use and Access) Act | UK United Kingdom | In force | In force since | |
| Online Safety Act | UK United Kingdom | In force | In force since |
Showing 3 of 3 laws
2023
- UK Online Safety Act — Royal Assent
2025
- UK Online Safety Act — Illegal-content duties enforceable
- UK Data (Use and Access) Act — Royal Assent
- UK Online Safety Act — Children’s safety duties apply
2026
- UK Online Safety Act — Ofcom opens investigation into X over Grok deepfakes
- UK Data (Use and Access) Act — New automated decision-making rules commence
- UK Data (Use and Access) Act — Offence of creating a purported intimate image commences
- UK Crime and Policing Act (AI) — Royal Assent
- UK Online Safety Act — Ministers gain power to bring more AI services into scope (no regulations yet)
- UK Crime and Policing Act (AI) — Nudification-tool offence and 48-hour intimate-image takedown commence
- UK Online Safety Act — Duty to remove reported intimate images within 48 hours applies
- UK Online Safety Act — Ofcom narrows X investigation to illegal-content duties (news reports)
Deepfake CEO fraud: US charges three men over $129m scheme
US prosecutors say three men used AI to impersonate company bosses and lawyers, tricking staff into wiring more than $129 million. Here is how the alleged scheme worked and how to protect your business.