If the online forum does not address Ofcom’s concerns, the regulator can use its full range of powers, which include large fines – up to £18m or 10% of the company’s global revenue, whichever is higher.
In the most serious cases, if the company still refuses to comply, Ofcom can ask a court for permission to disrupt the company’s business, which could mean asking other companies to cut off services to them or blocking access to the forum in the UK.
Ofcom has told the forum provider that it is prepared to seek these disruption measures soon after the company’s chance to respond ends, if the problems continue.
The government has said previously that it would tighten up laws that allow people to buy drugs online that can be used to take their own lives, following the deaths of Vlad and Aimee.
In Wales, Miles Cross, 33, was jailed for 14 years after he pleaded guilty to four counts of intentionally doing an act capable of encouraging or assisting suicide.
Thames Valley Police alerted North Wales Police to Cross after seeing his name when investigating another case of suicide.