UK government defends laws after X claims it threatens free speech
In a post titled What Happens When Oversight Becomes Overreach, the platform, formerly known as Twitter, outlined criticism of the act and the "heavy-handed' UK regulators.
The government countered that it is "demonstrably false' that the Online Safety Act compromises free speech and said it is not designed to censor political debate.
Under rules that came into effect on July 25, online platforms must take steps to prevent children accessing harmful content such as pornography or material that encourages suicide.
This includes a new duty for online providers to reduce the risk that users encounter illegal content as well as age verification measures in the UK to access pornographic content.
"As a result, the act's laudable intentions are at risk of being overshadowed by the breadth of its regulatory reach. Without a more balanced, collaborative approach, free speech will suffer,' X said.
It accused regulators of taking a "heavy-handed approach' and said that "many are now concerned that a plan ostensibly intended to keep children safe is at risk of seriously infringing on the public's right to free expression'.
Watchdog Ofcom said this week it had launched investigations into 34 pornography sites for new age-check requirements.
The company said "a balanced approach is the only way to protect individual liberties, encourage innovation and safeguard children'.
A government spokesperson said: "It is demonstrably false that the Online Safety Act compromises free speech.
"As well as legal duties to keep children safe, the very same law places clear and unequivocal duties on platforms to protect freedom of expression. Failure to meet either obligation can lead to severe penalties, including fines of up to 10% of global revenue or £18 million, whichever is greater.
"The Act is not designed to censor political debate and does not require platforms to age gate any content other than those which present the most serious risks to children such as pornography or suicide and self-harm content.
"Platforms have had several months to prepare for this law. It is a disservice to their users to hide behind deadlines as an excuse for failing to properly implement it.'
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle became embroiled in a row with Nigel Farage earlier this week over Reform UK's pledge that it would scrap the Act if the party came into power.
He said the Reform UK leader of being on the side of "extreme pornographers'. – PA Media/dpa
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
UK police charge three under Palestine Action terror ban
LONDON: British police confirmed the first three charges in England and Wales linked to the outlawed activist group Palestine Action. Two women and one man were arrested during a central London protest on July 5 and charged under the Terrorism Act 2000. Scotland has already seen seven similar charges due to its separate legal system. The announcement precedes a planned protest outside UK Parliament this weekend, with over 500 attendees expected. Dominic Murphy, head of the Met's counter-terror unit, warned protesters of potential criminal consequences. Jeremy Shippam, Judit Murray (both 71), and Fiona Maclean (53) will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on September 16. Murphy confirmed further charges are pending for 26 others arrested during the July 5 demonstration. The UK government banned Palestine Action after activists damaged military aircraft, causing £7 million in losses. Membership or support of the group now carries a maximum 14-year prison sentence. In late July, co-founder Huda Ammori was granted permission to legally challenge the ban. – AFP
The Star
5 hours ago
- The Star
Ringgit ends lower vs US$ and major currencies on weak demand
KUALA LUMPUR: The ringgit has retreated to close lower against the US dollar as well as major currencies on Thursday on lack of buying interest, said an analyst. At 6 pm, the local note eased to 4.2340/2385 against the greenback from Wednesday's close of 4.2235/2305. Bank Muamalat Malaysia Bhd chief economist Dr Mohd Afzanizam Abdul Rashid said the market is of the view that the US tariff is likely to take a toll on the US economy that would necessitate the Federal Reserve (Fed) to reduce the Fed Fund Rate to provide support to the economy. However, Mohd Afzanizam said the US Dollar Index (DXY) is having difficulties to gain strength as the possibilities for an interest rate cut by the Fed is gaining further traction. "The US DXY was down 0.1 per cent to 98.074 as the US tariffs continue to grab the news headline," he told Bernama. Mohd Afzanizam said the ringgit versus the US dollar was generally in a tight range of between RM4.22 and RM4.23 during the day. At the close, the ringgit ended lower against major currencies. It fell against the yen to 2.8732/8765 from 2.8570/8619 at the close on Wednesday, dropped versus the British pound to 5.6596/6656 from 5.6160/6253, and the euro to 4.9411/9463 from 4.8929/9010 previously. The ringgit also trended lower against regional peers. It dropped against the Singapore dollar to 3.2973/3013 from 3.2806/2863, declined against the Thai baht to 13.0954/1146 from 13.0291/0567, was lower against the Indonesian rupiah to 259.9/260.3 from 258.1/258.6 and slipped against the Philippine peso to 7.42/7.44 from 7.34/7.36 previously. - Bernama
The Sun
8 hours ago
- The Sun
No road tax? RTD will seize your luxury car, says Loke
PETALING JAYA: Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook (pic) has stated that luxury car owners who fail to renew their road tax and insurance will not be able to reclaim their vehicles if they are seized. He explained that under the Road Transport Act 1987, the Road Transport Department (RTD) has the authority to impound vehicles found without a valid road tax and insurance. Owners must settle all outstanding dues before they can reclaim their cars. 'Just because they paid a RM300 compound, it doesn't mean they can skip road tax. The vehicle will remain impounded until they settle the road tax and have valid insurance. Only then can it be released,' he said after launching the Foodpanda Malaysia's rider safety programme today. Loke made these remarks in response to reports that some luxury car owners were exploiting low fines to avoid renewing their road tax and insurance. He noted that while the current maximum compound is RM300 under the Road Transport Act, the ministry is open to reviewing the law and increasing penalties, especially for repeat or high-risk offenders. 'There are suggestions that in cases like this, we impose a higher fine. That is something we need to look at in the Act, because under the current law, we can only compound them up to RM300. But despite the limit, it doesn't remove the requirement to have valid documents before the vehicle is released,' he said. On Monday, it was reported that over 1,000 luxury vehicles, including Ferraris and Lamborghinis owned by celebrities and business tycoons, were identified by the RTD as having expired road tax and insurance for an extended period. RTD senior enforcement director Muhammad Kifli Ma Hassan said these vehicles are typically not used daily but are instead driven only on weekends or for special occasions. Kifli added that the RTD would take strict action if such vehicles are spotted on public roads. Kifli warned motorists that 'Ops Luxury,' which specifically targets such offenses, is ongoing. Last week, a Rolls-Royce Cullinan worth RM3 million, owned by a well-known local businessman, was among 53 luxury and exotic vehicles seized by the RTD. Other seized vehicles included a Lamborghini Huracan supercar and an Aston Martin DBX. All were impounded for being driven without valid road tax and insurance. These seizures were part of 'Op Luxury 2.0,' which ran from July 30 to August 1. In June, a local actress's Porsche was among 101 luxury vehicles seized by the RTD during the first phase of the operation.
