Kristina Roberts
X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, has raised concerns about the United Kingdom’s new online safety law. The platform believes that the law, while created to protect people online, especially children, may actually end up stopping people from freely expressing their opinions. The new law, known as the Online Safety Act, has become one of the most talked-about internet laws in the UK this year. X says that serious changes are needed before it causes more harm than good.
The Online Safety Act was made to keep people, especially young users, safe from harmful or illegal content on the internet. It applies to popular platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and X, as well as websites that show adult content. These platforms must now follow strict rules to block or remove any harmful, illegal, or unsafe content. The law also says that these platforms must make sure children don’t see adult or dangerous content. To do this, many websites are now asking people to prove their age before they can use or view certain pages.
But not everyone is happy with how the law is being used. Many people, including politicians, campaigners who fight for free speech, and people who create online content, believe that the rules are too strict. They say that the law is not only removing bad content but is also taking down content that is completely legal. These critics feel the law is being enforced in a way that’s too aggressive and is stopping people from sharing their ideas or opinions—even when those opinions are legal and respectful.
A major complaint is the use of age verification systems on adult websites. These sites are now asking users to upload personal information, like ID cards or official documents, just to prove their age. Many users feel uncomfortable with this because they worry their private information might not stay safe. People are concerned about what might happen if this sensitive information falls into the wrong hands. Due to this, more than 468,000 people have already signed an online petition asking the UK government to cancel or change the law.
However, the UK government has made it clear that it has no intention of removing the law. On Monday, the government said it would continue working closely with Ofcom, the UK’s main communication regulator, to put the law into effect as soon as possible. Ofcom is the organization that will make sure the rules of the Online Safety Act are followed by all platforms.
The UK’s Technology Secretary, Peter Kyle, strongly defended the law. On Tuesday, he said that those who were trying to get rid of it were “on the side of predators.” This was a serious accusation, suggesting that opposing the law meant helping people who harm others online. His statement shocked many people and made the debate even more heated. Some felt that his words were too harsh and ignored the real worries of many regular internet users.
Even though the law is trying to protect people, especially children, X believes that it goes too far. The company said the law could end up doing more damage by limiting freedom of speech. In a statement, X said it supported making the internet safer but added, “Freedom of speech is one of the most important parts of a democratic society. When laws are made to silence voices, it can be very dangerous.” X also said that it is still working to follow the law but hopes the government will think about making the rules clearer and fairer.
The Online Safety Act is part of the UK’s bigger plan to make the internet a safer place for everyone. The law was designed after years of public pressure and government promises to do more to protect users, especially children. Many cases in the past showed how harmful online spaces can be when not properly controlled. From bullying and hate speech to harmful challenges and adult content, the internet has sometimes been a dangerous place. That’s why the UK government decided it was time to take serious action.
But now, the law seems to be creating another problem. While trying to stop harmful content, it may also stop people from expressing their thoughts. Experts say that even though the goal of the law is good, its methods might be too strong. They suggest the government find a balance between protecting people and allowing free speech. If the rules are not clear, platforms might remove too much content just to be safe, which could mean many good and helpful posts get deleted.
Many young content creators and influencers are also worried. They say their videos and posts are being removed, even though they don’t break any laws. Some of them are afraid that the law might affect their careers. People who make videos or write blogs for a living fear they may lose their audiences or even be banned from platforms. This could affect their income and future opportunities.
In a democratic country like the UK, free speech has always been seen as a basic right. People have the right to say what they believe, even if others disagree. X argues that if the law makes people afraid to speak, then it is failing in one of the most important duties of a government: to protect its people’s rights.
The online world is always changing, and so are the challenges that come with it. Finding the right balance between safety and freedom is not easy. But experts, platforms, and everyday users all agree on one thing—the rules must be clear, fair, and should protect both safety and free expression.
As more voices speak up, it remains to be seen whether the UK government will make any changes to the Online Safety Act. Will they listen to the people’s worries? Or will they keep pushing forward no matter what? The future of the UK’s internet freedom may depend on the decisions made in the next few months.
