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The UK government has announced a significant amendment to its Online Safety Act, which will impose a ban on self-harm content on social media platforms. Critics argue that the law is too broad and may infringe upon the right to free speech and digital freedom.
The UK government has announced a ban on self-harm content on social media platforms as part of an amendment to the Online Safety Act.The amendment makes self-harm content a "priority offence" requiring social media companies to proactively prevent its publication.Critics argue that the law is too broad and may infringe upon free speech and digital freedom rights.Charities such as Samaritans back the amendment, citing the need to protect users from toxic material.The new regulations will apply to all social media companies operating in the UK, including smaller platforms.Experts warn that the Act's broad language could lead to over-censorship and suppression of legitimate online discussions.The ban may disproportionately affect marginalized communities who rely on social media for support and connection.
The UK government has announced a significant amendment to its controversial Online Safety Act, which will impose a ban on self-harm content on social media platforms. The move aims to protect users from exposure to toxic material that could lead to suicidal thoughts or behaviors. However, critics argue that the law is too broad and may infringe upon the right to free speech and digital freedom.
The amendment, backed by charities such as the Samaritans, will make self-harm content a "priority offence" under the Act. This means that social media companies will be required to take proactive measures to prevent the publication of such content, rather than simply removing it after being reported. The government claims that this change is necessary to keep users safe online and prevent potentially life-threatening consequences.
The UK Online Safety Act has been at the center of controversy since its introduction in 2023. Critics have raised concerns over privacy and censorship, with some arguing that the law threatens to undermine encryption and digital security measures. Private messaging platforms such as Signal have already expressed concerns about the impact of the Act on their users' privacy.
The new amendment will apply to all social media companies operating in the UK, including smaller platforms that may not have the resources or expertise to comply with the new regulations. This has raised concerns among online communities and forum operators, who fear that the law will unfairly target niche interests and stifle online discussion.
Experts warn that the Act's broad language could lead to over-censorship and the suppression of legitimate online discussions. "The law is already too broad," said one expert. "This amendment takes it in a direction that is even more problematic, as it assumes that platforms can effectively police every single post on their sites."
Another concern is that the ban will disproportionately affect marginalized communities, who may rely on social media for support and connection. "This move will only serve to further isolate and stigmatize already vulnerable groups," said a spokesperson for the Internet Watch Foundation.
The UK government has maintained that the amendment is necessary to protect users from harm. However, critics argue that this approach ignores the need for nuanced and evidence-based regulation. "We need to have a more balanced approach that takes into account both safety and free speech concerns," said a representative from the Council for Democratic and Independent Media.
The new regulations are set to come into effect three weeks after they are approved in both Houses of Parliament. As the debate over the Online Safety Act continues, one thing is clear: the UK government's stance on censorship and digital freedom has become increasingly polarized. The ban on self-harm content raises fundamental questions about the role of government in regulating online speech and the balance between safety and free expression.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/UKs-Online-Safety-Act-Takes-a-Draconian-Turn-A-Ban-on-Self-Harm-Content-Raises-Concerns-Over-Censorship-and-Freedom-ehn.shtml
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/09/09/selfharm_online_safety_act/
Published: Tue Sep 9 01:57:09 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
