UK's Online Safety Act Sparks Controversy Over "Speech Crimes"

GBUnited Kingdom|

Nearly 300 individuals in the UK have faced charges under the Online Safety Act since its introduction in October 2023, raising alarms about civil liberties amidst allegations of "speech crimes." The Crown Prosecution Service reported that 292 people were charged, with 67 resulting in convictions, primarily for spreading harmful misinformation or sending threatening communications connected to last summer's riots in response to the Southport stabbings.

The Online Safety Act, enacted by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's Conservative government, aims to regulate online content and impose hefty fines on tech companies for failing to remove harmful posts. Critics, including Lord Toby Young of the Free Speech Union, argue that the law's provisions blur the lines of free speech and empower the state to control truth, labeling the measures as a regression in rights.

US officials have also voiced concerns, suggesting that Britain's online regulations resemble “Orwellian” tactics. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle emphasized that online safety is "not up for negotiation," underscoring the government’s commitment to combating online harms despite the backlash.

Weekly Newsletter

Loading...

More from United Kingdom

UK Artist Chooses Euthanasia Over Life With Bipolar Disorder

Joseph Awuah-Darko, a 28-year-old British-Ghanaian artist, has opted for euthanasia in the Netherlands due to ongoing struggles with bipolar disorder. After years of battling severe mood fluctuations and debilitating pain, Awuah-Darko announced his decision publicly, intensifying the dialogue surrounding mental health and assisted dying. He is currently awaiting approval for euthanasia, which could take up to four years, while documenting his journey through “The Last Supper Project.” This initiative invites strangers to share dinner and discuss his experiences with mental health, aiming to raise awareness around the issues faced by individuals living with similar conditions. In an emotional Instagram video, Awuah-Darko remarked, “I am not saying that life isn’t worth living... the mental weight of mine has become entirely unbearable.” He announced that his book, "Dear Artists," will be published this spring, with all royalties directed to a mental health charity. His poignant choice has sparked mixed reactions online, with some supporting his decision and others encouraging him to reconsider.
GBUnited Kingdom

Alarming Reports of Sexual Abuse in UK Primary Schools Prompt Calls for Early Sex Education

Recent anonymous testimonies reveal disturbing incidents of sexual abuse and harassment reported at 1,664 primary schools across the UK, sparking urgent calls for age-appropriate sex education for children under nine. The website Everyone’s Invited, hosting these accounts, details experiences of harassment ranging from groping to rape, with one chilling report involving a victim as young as five. A 12-year-old survivor described being abducted and assaulted at the age of 10 while walking to school, highlighting the severe impact of such trauma on young children. Sophie Lennox, a spokesperson for Everyone’s Invited, emphasized the need to educate children earlier, stating that the current age of nine is too late for introducing crucial topics on relationships and consent. Education leaders, like Daniel Kebede from the National Education Union, agree, noting that inappropriate behaviors have pervaded school environments, often learned from older siblings and social media. The government responded by acknowledging the need for comprehensive relationship and health education, reinforcing that all students must feel safe in schools.
GBUnited Kingdom

UK Artist Opts for Euthanasia, Shares Final Meals with Strangers

Joseph Awuah-Darko, a 28-year-old British-Ghanaian artist, has chosen euthanasia over living with bipolar disorder, a decision he has documented extensively on social media. He relocated to the Netherlands, where euthanasia is legal, and is currently awaiting approval, which can take up to four years. Awuah-Darko's struggles with mental health, including daily "severe pain," have led him to this choice, as he states in an emotional Instagram video from December. To share his experiences, Awuah-Darko initiated "The Last Supper Project," inviting strangers to dine with him and discuss his journey. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, bipolar disorder causes severe mood and energy fluctuations that often exacerbate external pressures like financial burdens and societal expectations. In his posts, he emphasizes that while life is valuable, the weight of his condition has become unbearable. Awuah-Darko's upcoming book, “Dear Artists,” will be published this spring, with all royalties going to a mental health charity, as he also prepares to sell his art collection and conclude personal affairs prior to his planned euthanasia.
GBUnited Kingdom
All United Kingdom News ->