Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org  ·  activity timestamp 3 days ago

The UK Online Safety Act is an unworkable mess 💩

Can it be changed? And if so, is there the political will to do it?

Instead of doubling down on more censorship, Ofcom and the government must take steps to protect freedom of expression.

ORG's Sara Chitseko and @JamesBaker discuss.

Watch now ➡️ https://peertube.openrightsgroup.org/w/qi2DNB98c1C2Ny7Kg1Zg4v

#OnlineSafetyAct #onlinesafety #osa #ukpol #ukpolitics #freespeech #freeexpression #freedomofexpression #censorship #ofcom #privacy
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org  ·  activity timestamp 3 days ago

The UK Online Safety Act is an unworkable mess 💩

Can it be changed? And if so, is there the political will to do it?

Instead of doubling down on more censorship, Ofcom and the government must take steps to protect freedom of expression.

ORG's Sara Chitseko and @JamesBaker discuss.

Watch now ➡️ https://peertube.openrightsgroup.org/w/qi2DNB98c1C2Ny7Kg1Zg4v

#OnlineSafetyAct #onlinesafety #osa #ukpol #ukpolitics #freespeech #freeexpression #freedomofexpression #censorship #ofcom #privacy
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org replied  ·  activity timestamp 3 days ago

How do you solve a problem like the UK Online Safety Act? 😵‍💫

ORG is calling for a rights-based approach.

One that limits the scope of the OSA to minimise threats to free expression and regulates the age verification industry to protect privacy.

Here’s how ⬇️

https://www.openrightsgroup.org/publications/how-to-fix-the-online-safety-act-a-rights-first-approach/

#OnlineSafetyAct#OnlineSafety #osa #freespeech #privacy #freeexpression #ukpolitics #ukpol #ofcom #censorship #ageverification
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org  ·  activity timestamp 3 days ago

The UK Online Safety Act is an unworkable mess 💩

Can it be changed? And if so, is there the political will to do it?

Instead of doubling down on more censorship, Ofcom and the government must take steps to protect freedom of expression.

ORG's Sara Chitseko and @JamesBaker discuss.

Watch now ➡️ https://peertube.openrightsgroup.org/w/qi2DNB98c1C2Ny7Kg1Zg4v

#OnlineSafetyAct #onlinesafety #osa #ukpol #ukpolitics #freespeech #freeexpression #freedomofexpression #censorship #ofcom #privacy
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org  ·  activity timestamp 4 days ago

Content takedowns under the UK Online Safety Act could go further ⚠️

Damaging free expression has knock-on effects. It limits what we get to know about in the public interest and how we can hold power to account.

ORG's Sara Chitseko and @JamesBaker discuss the impact on live-streaming.

Watch now ➡️ https://peertube.openrightsgroup.org/w/a34kKNvs3iyAUTSQSofwX7

#OnlineSafetyAct #onlinesafety#OSA #ukpolitics #ukpol #freedomofexpression #freespeech #freeexpression #censorship #ofcom
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org  ·  activity timestamp 4 days ago

Content takedowns under the UK Online Safety Act could go further ⚠️

Damaging free expression has knock-on effects. It limits what we get to know about in the public interest and how we can hold power to account.

ORG's Sara Chitseko and @JamesBaker discuss the impact on live-streaming.

Watch now ➡️ https://peertube.openrightsgroup.org/w/a34kKNvs3iyAUTSQSofwX7

#OnlineSafetyAct #onlinesafety#OSA #ukpolitics #ukpol #freedomofexpression #freespeech #freeexpression #censorship #ofcom
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org replied  ·  activity timestamp 4 days ago

The UK regulator Ofcom is consulting on the use of proactive tech to scan, check and remove content before people even see it.

Combined with the weak protection for free expression in the Online Safety Act, the UK public risk facing widespread censorship online.

Tell your MP it has to change ⬇️

https://action.openrightsgroup.org/tell-your-mp-online-safety-act-isn%E2%80%99t-working

#OnlineSafetyAct #onlinesafety#OSA #ukpolitics #ukpol #ofcom #freespeech #freedomofexpression #freeexpression #censorship
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org  ·  activity timestamp 4 days ago

Content takedowns under the UK Online Safety Act could go further ⚠️

Damaging free expression has knock-on effects. It limits what we get to know about in the public interest and how we can hold power to account.

ORG's Sara Chitseko and @JamesBaker discuss the impact on live-streaming.

Watch now ➡️ https://peertube.openrightsgroup.org/w/a34kKNvs3iyAUTSQSofwX7

#OnlineSafetyAct #onlinesafety#OSA #ukpolitics #ukpol #freedomofexpression #freespeech #freeexpression #censorship #ofcom
Matt Brunt
@brunty@brunty.social  ·  activity timestamp 5 days ago
An excerpt of text from an article saying: Luckily, we don’t have to imagine the scene because the High Court judgment details the last government’s reaction when it discovered this potentially rather large flaw. First, we are told, the relevant secretary of state (Michelle Donelan) expressed “concern” that the legislation might whack sites such as Amazon instead of Pornhub. In response, officials explained that the regulation in question was “not primarily aimed at … the protection of children”, but was about regulating “services that have a significant influence over public discourse”, a phrase that rather gives away the political thinking behind the act. They suggested asking Ofcom to think again and the minister agreed.
An excerpt of text from an article saying: Luckily, we don’t have to imagine the scene because the High Court judgment details the last government’s reaction when it discovered this potentially rather large flaw. First, we are told, the relevant secretary of state (Michelle Donelan) expressed “concern” that the legislation might whack sites such as Amazon instead of Pornhub. In response, officials explained that the regulation in question was “not primarily aimed at … the protection of children”, but was about regulating “services that have a significant influence over public discourse”, a phrase that rather gives away the political thinking behind the act. They suggested asking Ofcom to think again and the minister agreed.
An excerpt of text from an article saying: Luckily, we don’t have to imagine the scene because the High Court judgment details the last government’s reaction when it discovered this potentially rather large flaw. First, we are told, the relevant secretary of state (Michelle Donelan) expressed “concern” that the legislation might whack sites such as Amazon instead of Pornhub. In response, officials explained that the regulation in question was “not primarily aimed at … the protection of children”, but was about regulating “services that have a significant influence over public discourse”, a phrase that rather gives away the political thinking behind the act. They suggested asking Ofcom to think again and the minister agreed.
Matt Brunt
@brunty@brunty.social  ·  activity timestamp 5 days ago
An excerpt of text from an article saying: Luckily, we don’t have to imagine the scene because the High Court judgment details the last government’s reaction when it discovered this potentially rather large flaw. First, we are told, the relevant secretary of state (Michelle Donelan) expressed “concern” that the legislation might whack sites such as Amazon instead of Pornhub. In response, officials explained that the regulation in question was “not primarily aimed at … the protection of children”, but was about regulating “services that have a significant influence over public discourse”, a phrase that rather gives away the political thinking behind the act. They suggested asking Ofcom to think again and the minister agreed.
An excerpt of text from an article saying: Luckily, we don’t have to imagine the scene because the High Court judgment details the last government’s reaction when it discovered this potentially rather large flaw. First, we are told, the relevant secretary of state (Michelle Donelan) expressed “concern” that the legislation might whack sites such as Amazon instead of Pornhub. In response, officials explained that the regulation in question was “not primarily aimed at … the protection of children”, but was about regulating “services that have a significant influence over public discourse”, a phrase that rather gives away the political thinking behind the act. They suggested asking Ofcom to think again and the minister agreed.
An excerpt of text from an article saying: Luckily, we don’t have to imagine the scene because the High Court judgment details the last government’s reaction when it discovered this potentially rather large flaw. First, we are told, the relevant secretary of state (Michelle Donelan) expressed “concern” that the legislation might whack sites such as Amazon instead of Pornhub. In response, officials explained that the regulation in question was “not primarily aimed at … the protection of children”, but was about regulating “services that have a significant influence over public discourse”, a phrase that rather gives away the political thinking behind the act. They suggested asking Ofcom to think again and the minister agreed.
James Baker
@JamesBaker@social.openrightsgroup.org  ·  activity timestamp 3 weeks ago

The Online Safety Act is just in phase 1. Ofcom currently have a 307 page consultation + 17 PDF annexes https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/illegal-and-harmful-content/online-safety-additional-safety-measures of extra proposals. These will expand the duties of anyone providing services and websites under the act . #onlinesafetyact #ofcom #privacy

Børge
Jim Killock
Børge and 1 other boosted
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org  ·  activity timestamp 4 weeks ago

Palestine Action ban + UK Online Safety Act = widespread censorship of content about Palestine 🚫

Lawful posts could be swept up by overly broad definitions of terrorism and wrongly removed by platforms. It's a serious attack on freedom of expression and the right to protest in the UK.

Read our open letter from human rights groups and experts ⬇️

https://www.openrightsgroup.org/press-releases/human-rights-defenders-raise-concerns-that-online-safety-act-will-lead-to-censorship-of-palestine-protest/

#onlinesafetyact #freeexpression #palestine #gaza #freedomofexpression #ukpolitics #ukpol #ofcom #pastineaction #freespeech
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org  ·  activity timestamp 4 weeks ago

What's 'illegal' is open to interpretation.

UK terror laws criminalise people for taking part in a proscribed group AND for expressing 'support' which is 'reckless' in getting others to support it.

This risks encouraging automated moderation that disproportionately affects political speech, particularly from marginalised communities, including Palestinian voices.

#onlinesafetyact #freeexpression #palestine #gaza #freedomofexpression #ukpolitics #ukpol #ofcom #pastineaction #freespeech
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org replied  ·  activity timestamp 4 weeks ago

“The heavy-handed takedown of digital content, fuelled by overly-broad terrorism definitions, will inevitably suppress critical voices, journalism and social movements around the world.

It is very likely that in trying to comply with these requirements, platforms would unjustly remove content from people in the EU and other regions."

🗣️ @ella for @edri.

#onlinesafetyact #freeexpression #palestine #gaza #freedomofexpression #ukpolitics #ukpol #ofcom #pastineaction #freespeech
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org  ·  activity timestamp 4 weeks ago

“The heavy-handed takedown of digital content, fuelled by overly-broad terrorism definitions, will inevitably suppress critical voices, journalism and social movements around the world.

It is very likely that in trying to comply with these requirements, platforms would unjustly remove content from people in the EU and other regions."

🗣️ @ella for @edri.

#onlinesafetyact #freeexpression #palestine #gaza #freedomofexpression #ukpolitics #ukpol #ofcom #pastineaction #freespeech
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org replied  ·  activity timestamp 4 weeks ago

“Crucial public debate about Gaza is being threatened by vague, overly broad laws that could lead to content about Palestine being removed or hidden online. How these laws are applied should concern everyone regardless of their political views.”

Ofcom must uphold free expression, so people can engage online without fear of being micharacterised as terrorists.

🗣️ Sara Chitseko for ORG.

#onlinesafetyact #freeexpression #palestine #gaza #freedomofexpression #ukpolitics #ukpol #ofcom #freespeech
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org  ·  activity timestamp 4 weeks ago

Platforms have a duty to mitigate the risk of 'illegal' content under the UK Online Safety Act.

Faced with unclear definitions, they'll over-moderate content about protest and Palestine solidarity.

Ofcom even advises them they can bypass duties by censoring more than is required!

#onlinesafetyact #freeexpression #palestine #gaza #freedomofexpression #ukpolitics #ukpol #ofcom #pastineaction #freespeech#OSA
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org replied  ·  activity timestamp 4 weeks ago

What's 'illegal' is open to interpretation.

UK terror laws criminalise people for taking part in a proscribed group AND for expressing 'support' which is 'reckless' in getting others to support it.

This risks encouraging automated moderation that disproportionately affects political speech, particularly from marginalised communities, including Palestinian voices.

#onlinesafetyact #freeexpression #palestine #gaza #freedomofexpression #ukpolitics #ukpol #ofcom #pastineaction #freespeech
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org  ·  activity timestamp 4 weeks ago

Palestine Action ban + UK Online Safety Act = widespread censorship of content about Palestine 🚫

Lawful posts could be swept up by overly broad definitions of terrorism and wrongly removed by platforms. It's a serious attack on freedom of expression and the right to protest in the UK.

Read our open letter from human rights groups and experts ⬇️

https://www.openrightsgroup.org/press-releases/human-rights-defenders-raise-concerns-that-online-safety-act-will-lead-to-censorship-of-palestine-protest/

#onlinesafetyact #freeexpression #palestine #gaza #freedomofexpression #ukpolitics #ukpol #ofcom #pastineaction #freespeech
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org replied  ·  activity timestamp 4 weeks ago

Platforms have a duty to mitigate the risk of 'illegal' content under the UK Online Safety Act.

Faced with unclear definitions, they'll over-moderate content about protest and Palestine solidarity.

Ofcom even advises them they can bypass duties by censoring more than is required!

#onlinesafetyact #freeexpression #palestine #gaza #freedomofexpression #ukpolitics #ukpol #ofcom #pastineaction #freespeech#OSA
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org  ·  activity timestamp 4 weeks ago

Palestine Action ban + UK Online Safety Act = widespread censorship of content about Palestine 🚫

Lawful posts could be swept up by overly broad definitions of terrorism and wrongly removed by platforms. It's a serious attack on freedom of expression and the right to protest in the UK.

Read our open letter from human rights groups and experts ⬇️

https://www.openrightsgroup.org/press-releases/human-rights-defenders-raise-concerns-that-online-safety-act-will-lead-to-censorship-of-palestine-protest/

#onlinesafetyact #freeexpression #palestine #gaza #freedomofexpression #ukpolitics #ukpol #ofcom #pastineaction #freespeech

Open Rights Group
Jim Killock
Open Rights Group and 1 other boosted
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org  ·  activity timestamp 4 weeks ago

🚨 BREAKING 🚨

We warn that the Palestine Action ban coupled with UK Online Safety Act is ‘a threat to public debate’.

The OSA forces “terrorist” content to be removed, meaning PA and Palestinian content could easily be swept up and deleted, warn @eff @edri and many others.

Read about our open letter ⬇️

theguardian.com/world/2025/aug
Open Rights Group
@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org  ·  activity timestamp 4 weeks ago

🚨 BREAKING 🚨

We warn that the Palestine Action ban coupled with UK Online Safety Act is ‘a threat to public debate’.

The OSA forces “terrorist” content to be removed, meaning PA and Palestinian content could easily be swept up and deleted, warn @eff @edri and many others.

Read about our open letter ⬇️

theguardian.com/world/2025/aug
James Baker
@JamesBaker@social.openrightsgroup.org  ·  activity timestamp 4 weeks ago

Someone said Ofcom haven’t really done anything with the Online Safety Act. That’s a bit unfair as they have produced around 1700 pages of guidance. It’s really a bureaucratic magnum opus of the modern age. The UKs gift to the world, something for historians to puzzle over. It’s subtly subversive - an anarchist Trojan - anyone who reads it loses hope in Governmentality. #onlinesafety#Ofcom