Concerns Rise Over Free Speech After Online Safety Act Leads to Hundreds of Charges in the UK

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Since the implementation of the Online Safety Act in October 2023, nearly 300 individuals in the UK have been charged with online "speech crimes," raising serious concerns among civil liberties advocates. According to data disclosed to The Telegraph, there were 292 charges related to spreading "fake news" and sending threatening communications, with 67 resulting in convictions.

The law, established under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's government, mandates tech companies to mitigate harmful online content or face substantial fines. Critics argue that the act's provisions may inhibit free speech by allowing the government to define disinformation. Notable figures like Lord Toby Young of the Free Speech Union have voiced worries about the potential for abuse in policing online expression.

The enforcement of the act has already led to charges emerging from last summer's Southport riots, marking some of the first convictions under this new legal framework. Addressing these concerns, a government spokesperson stated the administration remains committed to protecting public safety from online threats.

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