I've not seen this covered in any of the tech news.
I have not even seen anyone else talking about it.
The fact that it is in an amendment paper - a technical document that few people are likely to read - is probably part of it.
But this feels like a *massive* thing to be happening almost silently.
@neil part of me hopes they do end up accidentally banning kids from shared calendars, conference calls and using iMessage.
It might anger enough people to get the whole #OnlineSafetyAct scrapped.
I will need to see the actual legislative language, but I can well imagine that it might get hung up on "designed to", yes.
And yes, as with computer misuse stuff (and other stuff), separately the lawful but with the potential for misuse, from the unlawful, will be key.
@neil @chrisgerhard devil will be in the details. Likely unenforceable fines will be levelled anyway. Are #ofcom then *really* going to deprive "almost a quarter of people" from access to news and ban #Twitter?
According to Newsnight, the UK government say they can't block X—despite the deepfake CSAM—because people could evade such a ban using VPNs.
But the #OnlineSafetyAct is working just fine even though people can use VPNs to avoid having to upload photos of their passport (etc.) to some shady unregulated age verification company.
The UK government's internet policies are totally rational and coherent. Nothing to see here. Please don't ask us any more annoying critical questions.
Twitter’s Grok AI is now being used by people to undress women, as verified by the BBC. Twitter refused to reply, simply saying “legacy media lies”. It isn’t a lie.
In the UK it is illegal to create or share non-consensual intimate images, including via AI. The UK gov say they are investigating.
RE: https://cyberplace.social/@GossiTheDog/115826683070912702
The UK government’s official internet policy:
1. if you run a web forum or fedi instance, you need to do a bunch of paperwork to comply with the #OnlineSafetyAct to protect the kids.
2. if you are rich and run a neo-nazi website with officially posted virtual CSAM, politicians won’t leave despite that being a million times worse than anything you’d read on a forum about fixed gear cycling or a mastodon server run by some queer furries running arch for their polycule.
Incredibly coherent.
According to Newsnight, the UK government say they can't block X—despite the deepfake CSAM—because people could evade such a ban using VPNs.
But the #OnlineSafetyAct is working just fine even though people can use VPNs to avoid having to upload photos of their passport (etc.) to some shady unregulated age verification company.
The UK government's internet policies are totally rational and coherent. Nothing to see here. Please don't ask us any more annoying critical questions.
Twitter’s Grok AI is now being used by people to undress women, as verified by the BBC. Twitter refused to reply, simply saying “legacy media lies”. It isn’t a lie.
In the UK it is illegal to create or share non-consensual intimate images, including via AI. The UK gov say they are investigating.
RE: https://cyberplace.social/@GossiTheDog/115826683070912702
The UK government’s official internet policy:
1. if you run a web forum or fedi instance, you need to do a bunch of paperwork to comply with the #OnlineSafetyAct to protect the kids.
2. if you are rich and run a neo-nazi website with officially posted virtual CSAM, politicians won’t leave despite that being a million times worse than anything you’d read on a forum about fixed gear cycling or a mastodon server run by some queer furries running arch for their polycule.
Incredibly coherent.
The details of 19,000+ people fleeing the Taliban were leaked in the most serious data breach in British history. At least 49 people have been killed as a result.
And yet the Information Commissioner's Office shrugs.
This isn't an isolated case. It's part of a trend of the ICO not using its enforcement powers.
There's a correlation between the lack of formal regulatory action and a surge in data breaches in the UK.
Enough!
#ICO #dataprotection #privacy #ukpolitics #ukpol #gdpr #data
@openrightsgroup meanwhile the local cycling forum has shut down over #onlineSafetyAct enforcement.
ICYMI, Ofcom has published the evidence submitted to its consultation on additional duties for categorised services. 41 submissions here. #OnlineSafetyAct https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/third-phase-of-online-safety-regulation
ICYMI, Ofcom has published the evidence submitted to its consultation on additional duties for categorised services. 41 submissions here. #OnlineSafetyAct https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/third-phase-of-online-safety-regulation
Ofcom: "...we have a higher degree of confidence that proactive technology that is accurate, effective and free from bias is likely to be available [for these harms]."
ICO: "... a more robust overview of Ofcom’s evidence of the tools available and their effectiveness would help clarify the basis on which Ofcom has determined that it has a higher degree of confidence about the availability of technologies that meet its criteria."
Ouch. #OnlineSafetyAct https://www.cyberleagle.com/2025/11/data-protection-and-online-safety-act.html
Ofcom: "...we have a higher degree of confidence that proactive technology that is accurate, effective and free from bias is likely to be available [for these harms]."
ICO: "... a more robust overview of Ofcom’s evidence of the tools available and their effectiveness would help clarify the basis on which Ofcom has determined that it has a higher degree of confidence about the availability of technologies that meet its criteria."
Ouch. #OnlineSafetyAct https://www.cyberleagle.com/2025/11/data-protection-and-online-safety-act.html
It enrages me that the #OnlineSafetyAct means I can't give UK people free audio any more, but if you're in the UK use code OSA for a massive discount (and do it before Dec 1st if you'd like a card - https://www.girlonthenet.com/blog/2025-christmas-cards/)
If you're in the UK and you're blind or need audio for other accessibility reasons, drop me an email hellogirlonthenet at gmail dotcom.
It enrages me that the #OnlineSafetyAct means I can't give UK people free audio any more, but if you're in the UK use code OSA for a massive discount (and do it before Dec 1st if you'd like a card - https://www.girlonthenet.com/blog/2025-christmas-cards/)
If you're in the UK and you're blind or need audio for other accessibility reasons, drop me an email hellogirlonthenet at gmail dotcom.
