The Department for Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) sought to understand and showcase the growth and impact of the UK’s safety tech sector. The project’s objectives included assessing the sector’s revenue, employment, and contributions to online safety.
To meet this objective, PUBLIC - in partnership with Perspective Economics - conducted a detailed sectoral analysis. We engaged in a number of interviews with public sector stakeholders, safety tech providers, civil society organisations, funders, and researchers. The insights gathered as part of this initiative sat alongside a comprehensive literature review with crucial subject matter experts’ input throughout.
Our research provided DCMS with a leading understanding of the safety tech sector’s growth, opportunities, risks, and challenges. By presenting key findings and recommendations, we enabled DCMS to make informed decisions and continue supporting the sector’s expansion. Our analysis positioned the UK’s safety tech sector as a global leader, highlighting its impact and significance.
Authors
Partnering with DCMS to operate the UK’s first Safety Tech Challenge Fund - a groundbreaking grant programme aimed at empowering safety tech innovation to enhance child online safety
Through extensive desk research, use case development and stakeholder engagement, we recommended four areas of focus for the EHRC’s Strategic Plan relating to AI and equality and human rights.
Developing recommendations grounded in leading industry insights to empower DSIT to support the SafetyTech sector’s growth effectively and navigate potential challenges
Empowering DSIT to assess the Online Safety Bill’s effectiveness with a flexible M&E framework informed by robust research
Researching accreditation approaches across the technology sector to develop recommendations for a tailored accreditation process for the online safety tech industry
Comprehensive research to equip Ofcom with a deep understanding of online content accessibility via search services, informing online safety guidance
Crafting a comprehensive Interactive Services (IS) Model to provide Ofcom with a common framework for understanding user journeys and platform workflows
Mapping the current state of the Age Assurance market, identifying representative use cases, and key challenges to help DCMS gain a more in-depth understanding of a rapidly evolving technology sector
Researching the existing taxonomy, prevalence, legislative and regulatory landscape, and emerging trends related to Child Financial Harms
Developing a ‘minimum-viable product’ for a standards framework to assess online safety compliance solutions
Through mixed methods user research we mapped the prevalence and impact of OVAWG, identified key dynamics characterising how these harms occur, and categorised 18 harm types.
Researched innovative design approaches that can support the safety of women and girls on online platforms and services.
Research, system-mapping and recommendations for Nominet's fund combatting illegal online harm.
Facilitating data access to catalyse innovation in the Safety Tech sector
