search service
A service generating search results for user queries.
How the laws define this
Both regulatory sources agree that a search service fundamentally centers on generating, returning, or querying information across websites or databases to respond to users. Under the Online Safety Act 2023, the term applies broadly to any service that generates, returns, or ranks information in response to user queries, explicitly incorporating both web and platform search functionality. When accessible to UK users, such services fall within the Act’s scope and incur specified duties and risk-assessment requirements. In contrast, the Open letter to UK online service providers regarding Generative AI and chatbots applies the term specifically to generative AI tools. Rather than covering standard search functionality generally, the open letter targets generative AI tools that enable searches across more than one website or database, including systems that modify, augment, or supply live internet results. Thus, while the Online Safety Act 2023 regulates general query-response mechanisms, the open letter focuses directly on multi-database generative AI capabilities.
Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.
Definitions (2)
A service that generates, returns or ranks information in response to user queries (including web and platform search functionality); when accessible to UK users it falls within the Act’s scope and is subject to specified duties and risk-assessment requirements.
Generative AI tools that enable the search of more than one website and/or database, including those modifying or augmenting search results or providing 'live' internet results.
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