SPEAK UK

The government is thinking about whether to introduce an under 16 social media ban. In practice it is likely to mean age checks, arguments over what counts as “social media”, and pressure to lock down more of the internet.

In the UK, it's illegal to be "grossly offensive" online. Yes, the law is absurdly broad. And yes, it does result in people being arrested for things like criticising a school in a WhatsApp group...

When people imagine legislation designed to ensure "online safety", they sometimes forget that it actually requires everyone to submit their ID to access much of the internet. In the UK, you now have to submit an ID to access some blog posts and discussion forums.

In 2021, the Law Commission recommended that the “grossly offensive” test be removed from UK law. They said it could “constitute a disproportionate interference in the right to freedom of expression”. Five years later, that suggestion has still not been implemented.

Remember the Discord breach exposing users’ ID photos? That is the risk when platforms are pushed towards large-scale age checks. The Online Safety Act means more sensitive data collected, stored, and in some cases: exposed.

The Online Safety Act is completely BROKEN.  Here are three reasons why. 🎥

We agree with @silkiecarlo. Adults should not have to hand over ID to use the open internet on a device they already own. Apple should reverse this.

The UK has reached the point where adults are being asked for ID or a credit card to access ordinary parts of the internet on their iPhone. No, really.

As a reminder: only 2% of stolen bicycles get returned to their owners. Maybe focusing on bike theft would be a better use of police time than arresting people for online posts?

There is so much more in this bill. Of course, it remains to be seen whether it will be taken up by anyone in Westminster. But, as a vision for the future, there’s certainly a lot to like.

Say goodbye to the worst offending pieces of legislation… 👋 Section 127 Communications Act 2003 👋 Malicious Communications Act 1988 👋 Online Safety Act 2023 👋 Public Order Act 1986 … And much more.

You’ve probably seen the news – @prestonjbyrne's Free Speech Bill dropped late last night. What’s slightly less likely is that you’ve had time to read all 32 pages. So we’ve done the work for you 🧵

Good to see the case for a UK Free Speech Bill being made unapologetically. The UK needs much stronger protections for expression and to do away with the out-of-date legislation we have on the statute book.

Never forget: when Ofcom tried to fine 4chan for failure to comply with the Online Safety Act, their lawyer (@prestonjbyrne) simply replied with an image of a giant hamster. Foreign companies will not pay our speech fines. These rules are absurd.

CASE OF THE WEEK 📅 Jordan Barrack posted a picture of a Lincolnshire Police officer with two penises drawn onto it. A crass joke, nothing more. The Police disagreed. Barrack had to pay £400 compensation.

Politicians in the UK claim they support freedom of speech... until it's inconvenient.