The UK government launched a consultation on July 15, 2026, seeking public opinion on extending broadcast regulations to voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa, Apple’s Siri, and Google Assistant to control how they stream radio.
The proposal would apply the Communications Act 2003 to these systems, requiring them to provide direct access to UK radio stations without inserting advertisements or charging for the service.
Regulatory Proposal for Voice Assistants
The consultation, published by the Law Library of Congress, follows the Media Act 2024, which amended the Communications Act 2003 to include Part 3B. This part defines “radio selection services” (RSS) as internet-based services that let users select and play radio streams via voice commands, a category that explicitly covers Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant.
Requirements for Designated Services
If designated as an RSS, these voice assistants would face strict rules. They must provide access to a user’s selected UK radio station using the station’s preferred streaming method, cannot insert advertisements (except brief identifications with the station’s consent), and cannot charge the radio service for access. A designation can be revoked if the service no longer has significant UK listenership.
Ofcom Recommends Designating Major RSS Services
The consultation was prompted by a March 2026 report from Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, which recommended that any RSS with over 700,000 UK users be designated. Ofcom estimates Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant collectively represent 95% of RSS users in the UK, exceeding this threshold. The government accepted this recommendation and initiated the mandatory public consultation before the secretary of state can formally designate these services under the Communications Act 2003.
