What is Ofcom, what does it do and why have people complained about Love Island?
OFCOM is the regulator for telecommunications services in the UK and seeks to protect the British public from scams and sharp practices, while ensuring that competition can thrive.
The watchdog is assessing complaints into Love Island - but why? Here's our lowdown...
What is Ofcom?
Ofcom regulates television, radio and video-on-demand sectors, fixed-line telecoms, mobiles and postal services, plus the airwaves over which wireless devices operate.
It operates under a number of Acts of Parliament, including in particular the Communications Act 2003, which says that the regulator’s principal duty is to further the interests of citizens and of consumers, where appropriate by promoting competition.
Ofcom sets and enforces regulatory rules for the sectors of which it has responsibility.
It also have powers to enforce competition law in those sectors, alongside the Competition and Markets Authority.
Ofcom is funded by fees from industry for regulating broadcasting and communications networks, and grant-in-aid from the Government.
What does Ofcom do?
Ofcom's main legal duties are to ensure the UK has a wide range of electronic communication services, including high-speed services such as broadband, and that TV and radio programmes appeal to a range of tastes.
These services must also be provided by a range of different organisations and that's something the watchdog has to oversee.
The regulator has to ensure people are protected from harmful or offensive material, from being treated unfairly and from having their privacy invaded.
Ofcom also strives to ensure the UK is provided with a universal postal service, operating six days a week, and the radio spectrum is used in the most effective way.
It's not responsible for disputes between customers and telecoms providers, the content of TV and radio adverts or premium-rate services, such as mobile phone text services and ringtones.
Ofcom says it also won't deal with complaints about accuracy in BBC programmes of the licence fee.
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Why are they investigating Love Island?
Ofcom complaints about Love Island have soared to 1,215 following Joe Garratt's behaviour towards Lucie.
The surfer broke down in tears on Sunday night's show after Joe, 22, told her off for talking to boys in the villa.
He said: "I'm not happy with it. It's strange. I think it's time for you to get close with the girls."
Joe then told some of his male pals in the villa: "I hope today is the day she woke up and she will change."
One viewer laid into Joe on social media, saying: “Joe is actually so controlling i hate it lucie deserves to be loved sorry for hating on you at the start xxxxx."
Another added: “Seeing actual signs of emotional abuse on Love Island is excruciating.”
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