UK campaigners warn regarding Online Safety Bill
The Online Safety Bill is on the verge of becoming unworkable if presented to MPs in its current form. 16 groups have sent a letter to Britain’s Culture Secretary, Nadine Norris, urging the government to make further changes, claiming the bill is too focused on regulating what people are allowed to say online, rather than the role of tech companies in the Consider promoting harmful content. They failed to protect us while threatening freedom of expression, they wrote.
Signatories include Fair Vote UK, Open Britain, Hope Not Hate and Unlock Democracy Areas of Legislation.
Campaigners are proposing corrections that Include:
- Strengthening freedom of expression, protecting rights and mitigating measures against disinformation
- Better protection for marginalized groups
- Ensuring the most privacy-friendly verification processes possible
- Increasing transparency requirements and access for independent inquiries from verified third parties
They also warn about dangerous loopholes when paid advertising is not brought into the scope and cites research that suggests this type of content can do the most harm online. Taken together, these would make the law simpler, more effective and easier to enforce, they wrote, claiming they are ready and willing to work with the government, MPs and other interested parties on further changes. As the law makes its way through Parliament, this is the last chance to build effective safeguards.
Why is the Online Safety Act controversial?
The Online Safety Bill is an ambitious piece of legislation aimed at making the UK the safest place in the world to be online. However, it has raised many concerns from politicians and civil rights groups, who fear its policies could undermine internet freedom and freedom of expression online. Commenters are also concerned about the future of end-to-end encryption – the technology behind secure messaging apps like WhatsApp and the best VPN services.
In a report published on July 4 , it was time for the House of Commons committee to address additional issues with the current state of the bill. They are particularly concerned about the Foreign Secretary’s new powers in directing the duties of Ofcoms, the body responsible for enforcing the new rules. The government must maintain its approach to ensuring independent, effective and trustworthy regulation, which has proven itself in other sectors. Finally, they call on the government to implement their recommendations.
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