A suicide forum linked to more than 130 deaths in the UK is still easily accessible despite Ofcom's assertion that it is blocked to British users. An investigation by Metro and the Ripple Suicide Prevention Charity found the site can be reached within seconds using a virtual private network (VPN), and at least one mirror site on the dark web remains active.
Ofcom's Claim of Blocking Contradicted
In July, Ofcom stated it had exhausted its legal powers under the Online Safety Act because the forum had implemented a geoblocker to prevent UK access. The regulator claimed it could take no further action against the site, which hosts 170,000 posts encouraging suicide. However, the investigation revealed that the geoblock is not foolproof, and VPNs easily bypass it.
David Parfett, whose son Tom died after taking a poison tablet promoted on the forum, told Metro: '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.'
Mirror Site and Cryptocurrency Fundraising
Ripple Suicide Prevention Charity uncovered at least one mirror site on the dark web containing the same harmful content. The dark web can be accessed without a VPN, though users typically use one. In November, the Samaritans identified a mirror site, prompting Ofcom to reopen its investigation and fine the forum £950,000, which remains unpaid despite a June 12 deadline.
The forum appears to be preparing to bypass Ofcom's financial powers by fundraising via cryptocurrency, telling vulnerable users they face 'increased regulatory pressure' – directly mentioning Ofcom – which has led to 'higher operational costs'. This tactic aims to avoid the Online Safety Act's provisions that can order payment processors to withdraw services from non-compliant platforms.
Families and Campaigners Demand Stronger Action
Mia-Helena Knight Nikolin Caisley, whose brother Vlad died at 17 in 2024, said: '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 the Molly Rose Foundation, criticized Ofcom's delay: '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.'
Ofcom Defends Actions, Government Vows to Review
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.'
The spokesperson added: '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.'
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.'
Technical Loopholes and Calls for Reform
David Savage, CTO of Ripple Suicide Prevention, explained: '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.'
Savage added: 'It is clear that Ofcom needs to strengthen their approach to sites that have an active workaround. The internet is a global network that often transcends borders, and relying on platforms to regulate themselves is a solution that will cost lives.'
David Parfett, who set up the Thomas William Parfett Foundation, 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, after purchasing a poison tablet promoted on the site, with commentators cheering him on.
