UK waters down Internet restrictions after free speech criticism – Saudi Gazette

UK waters down Internet restrictions after free speech criticism – Saudi Gazette

LONDON — The UK government has watered down a sweeping new law on Internet safety after strong criticism from campaigners and lawmakers.

The Online Safety Bill would have forced tech giants to remove online content that is “legal but harmful”.

The legislation would have given regulators wide-ranging powers to sanction digital and social media companies, such as Google, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.

Like the EU’s planned Digital Services Act (DSA), the UK aimed to crack down on online racism, sexual abuse, bullying, fraud, and other harmful material.

But critics had expressed concern that the Online Safety Bill could lead to censorship and undermine free speech.

UK Digital Secretary Michelle Donelan confirmed that the government has now abandoned that ”legal but harmful” wording after acknowledging that it could “over-criminalize” online content.

“Tech firms or future governments could [have used] the laws as a license to censor legitimate views,” Donelan said.

What does the watered-down Online Safety Bill look like?

Instead of removing all “legal but harmful” content, social media platforms must set out clear terms of service, and stick to them.

Companies will be free to allow adults to post and see offensive or harmful material, as long as the content is not illegal.

But if the platforms fail to meet